Pakistan’s government officials are on alert after security agencies uncovered attempts to hack their smartphones. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued a notification warning officials about hackers impersonating high-ranking individuals to steal sensitive data.
The PMO notification identified malicious links sent via WhatsApp as a common tactic. Officials are urged to exercise caution, avoid responding to suspicious messages, and immediately report them to the Cabinet Division.
Pakistan’s security agencies are actively monitoring the situation and remain vigilant against potential threats, the PMO assured.
This incident coincides with a warning from the National Telecommunication and Information Security Board (NTISB). The board cautioned against attempts by hostile intelligence agencies (HIAs) to hack smartphones of senior officers using spoofed messages.
The NTISB advised that HIAs exploit human psychology by impersonating trusted sources like government entities or banks. Returning calls from such messages or clicking on suspicious links could lead to malware downloads or sensitive information leaks.
