Dutch intelligence warns of Russian hackers targeting Signal and WhatsApp
Dutch intelligence agencies warned that Russian hackers are targeting Signal and WhatsApp accounts of dignitaries and military personnel. The Netherlands’ military and domestic intelligence services issued a joint alert concerning a global cyber campaign. Hackers are imitating support chatbots to trick targets into revealing PINs for the platforms.
This warning highlights ongoing security vulnerabilities in widely used encrypted messaging applications. The campaign poses a direct threat to government communications and sensitive operational security. The intelligence alert serves as a critical reminder for high-profile users to verify the authenticity of all digital requests.
According to the Dutch alert, the hackers aim to gain access to incoming messages by acquiring user PINs. The operation is described as a large-scale global effort focused on specific personnel. The agencies did not release a specific number of compromised accounts in the initial statement.
This development follows similar actions by Russian hackers in the United States last year. The Pentagon previously advised members not to use Signal after comparable phishing scams were reported. US military leaders have faced internal security breaches independently of foreign interference.
The intelligence services emphasized that users should never provide security details or click unverified links. The joint warning attributes the campaign to state-sponsored Russian actors. The alert reinforces the need for heightened digital hygiene among government officials.