Phishing Attack Targets Over 300 German Political Accounts via Signal App

Com reported. German media estimates that at least 300 accounts belonging to political figures were targeted in the phishing attack. Several cabinet members were affected by the phishing attack, according to the German Press Agency, dpa.

Konstantin von Notz serves as an MP and deputy chief of the intelligence oversight committee. “The number of unreported cases will continue to rise in the coming days,” said Konstantin von Notz to AFP. “At present, no one can say with any certainty whether the integrity of MPs’ communications is still guaranteed,” he said.

The cyberattack also targeted Berlin’s high-profile journalists. Germany believes the cyberattack was orchestrated by Russia, government sources told Reuters. Berlin has served as one of Ukraine’s biggest providers of military aid.

The hackers sent messages to the targets posing as 'Signal Support,' asking the officials to enter their PIN, click on a link, or scan a specific QR code. Once the targets complied, the hackers gained access to the victim’s chats and address books, dpa reported. German federal prosecutors have been investigating the phishing attack since mid-April.

Germany’s domestic intelligence service BfV and its cybersecurity office BSI warned earlier this year that state-sponsored actors could launch attacks on messaging apps such as Signal in the near future.