Privacy

2596 readers

360 users here now

Welcome! This is a community for all those who are interested in protecting their privacy.

Rules

PS: Don't be a smartass and try to game the system, we'll know if you're breaking the rules when we see it!

Be civil and no prejudice
Don't promote big-tech software
No apathy and defeatism for privacy (i.e. "They already have my data, why bother?")
No reposting of news that was already posted
No crypto, blockchain, NFTs
No Xitter links (if absolutely necessary, use xcancel)

Related communities:

Some of these are only vaguely related, but great communities.

founded 7 months ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Warning over privacy of encrypted messages as Russia targets Signal Messenger (www.computerweekly.com)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

A lot of people seem to be confused so to clear up: They haven't broken encryption. They are phishing using malicious QR codes.

Russia-backed hacking groups have developed techniques to compromise encrypted messaging services, including Signal, WhatsApp and Telegram, placing journalists, politicians and activists of interest to the Russian intelligence service at potential risk.

Google Threat Intelligence Group disclosed today that Russia-backed hackers had stepped up attacks on Signal Messenger accounts to access sensitive government and military communications relating to the war in Ukraine.

Analysts predict it is only a matter of time before Russia starts deploying hacking techniques against non-military Signal users and users of other encrypted messaging services, including WhatsApp and Telegram.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 36 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

This is a Phishing attack, just so we're clear, they haven't broken the encryption. They gain access by tricking you into clicking malicious links or scanning fake QR codes. As long as you stay vigilant you should be fine, make sure to warn other people in your life though who might not be as keen on this though, they can easily be compromised, and if they share conversations with you it can indirectly affect you if they are.