Meta Platforms Inc. has neutralised a cyber threat from Iranian hackers who were targeting influential figures associated with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
On Friday, Meta reported that it had successfully blocked a “small cluster” of WhatsApp accounts linked to these hackers.
The accounts are believed to be connected to APT42, an Iranian hacking group previously identified by tech companies like Google as a state-sponsored cyber espionage entity. The group was reportedly aiming at political and diplomatic officials, as well as public figures in Israel, Iran, and the United Kingdom.
Meta’s security team discovered APT42’s involvement after analysing suspicious messages reported by users. The fraudulent accounts had been impersonating technical support services for major companies including AOL, Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft. Despite the breach, Meta confirmed that there was no evidence of any WhatsApp user accounts being compromised.
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This incident emerges as Meta faces increased scrutiny over the security and integrity of its platforms, particularly in the lead-up to the November elections. The swift action taken against the Iranian hackers highlights the ongoing threat of cyber-espionage and underscores the importance of strong security measures to protect user data.
The episode also brings to light the challenges Meta encounters in safeguarding its platforms against manipulation, especially in the politically charged environment leading up to the elections. Meta’s commitment to ensuring user security and platform integrity will be critical in maintaining user trust and its position in the market.
