Since the 2021 Whatsapp announcement asking people to agree to a new set of terms that allowed them to share personal information on Facebook, many people made a switch to Signal and Telegram accounts. Telegram in particular grew in popularity and became the go-to messaging app for many.
Despite being renowned for its privacy and security, like any other platform, the messaging app has become subject to cyber-attacks.
A rise in messenger hijacking scams has left many users as victims. These scams often come in the shape of invitations to polls and petitions, requiring verification either by a phone number or scanning a QR code.
How Telegram Accounts Are Hijacked
There are several ways that cybercriminals can gain access to your Telegram account. Hijackers gain access to a contact’s account and send messages with links created using URL-shortening services. These links are difficult for anti-phishing tools to detect and often lead to simple-looking sites that prompt the victim to log in to a messaging app.
Victims are asked to provide their phone number or scan a QR code, and once they do, the attacker gains access to the victim’s account. With the verification code sent to the victim’s phone or computer, the attacker can log in to the victim’s account and take control of it, including the ability to link it to another device.
Here are some of the most common methods:
- Phishing: Phishing is a method of tricking users into giving away their login credentials by pretending to be a legitimate website or app. Cybercriminals may create a fake Telegram login page and send it to users via email or text message, asking them to enter their login details.
- Social engineering: Social engineering is the act of manipulating users into giving away their login credentials. Cybercriminals may use tactics like posing as a customer support agent or pretending to be a friend to gain the user’s trust and access to their account.
- Password cracking: Password cracking is the act of guessing or cracking a user’s password using specialized software or algorithms. Cybercriminals may use techniques like brute-force attacks or dictionary attacks to crack a user’s password and gain access to their Telegram account.
- Malware: Malware is software that is designed to infect and harm a user’s computer or device. Cybercriminals may use malware to steal a user’s login credentials or to gain remote access to their device and use it to access their Telegram account.
Why are Telegram accounts under threat?
Cybercriminals have a variety of reasons for hijacking your Telegram account. They can use it to distribute fraudulent links to your contacts, but they can also extract valuable data from it. By accessing your account through the desktop version of Telegram, they can export sensitive information, including your contact list, personal details, chat history, and uploaded files. They may even try to extort you for the return of your account after some time has passed. It’s essential to take precautions to prevent your account from being compromised.
How to Keep Cybercriminals Out of Your Telegram Account
To keep your Telegram account safe from cybercriminals, follow these tips:
- Use a strong password: Use a strong, unique password for your Telegram account that is not used for any other accounts. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your Telegram account by requiring a second factor in addition to your password to log in. To enable 2FA, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and select Two-Step Verification. From there, you can set a password, hint, recovery email, and enter a confirmation code received via email.
- Be cautious of links and messages from unknown users: Don’t click on links or messages from unknown users, as they may be phishing attempts or contain malware.
- Keep your device and software up-to-date: Keeping your device and software up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates can help prevent malware and other security vulnerabilities.
- Use a trusted antivirus program: Use a trusted antivirus program to protect your device from malware and other security threats.
Telegram is a secure messaging app, but it’s important to be aware of the risks of cyber-attacks and take steps to protect your account. By following these tips, you can keep cybercriminals out of your Telegram account and enjoy a safe and secure messaging experience. After all, knowledge is power! So why not join us here at Privacy Talks for regular news and updates about different ways you can help protect your inbox, personal information, and other online accounts?