The Indian Army has issued a warning against Chinese hackers, who are now targeting Indians through messaging service, WhatsApp.
The Indian Army has issued a warning against Chinese hackers, who are now targeting Indians through messaging service, WhatsApp.
In a video posted by the official Twitter handle of the army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information, all the alleged risks have been mentioned. The tweet reads, “Be vigilant, be careful, stay safe. @भारतीयसेना social media encourages proper and NIYAMABADDH account. Hacking is on the Zoro, which is inattentive for them. Always check your social media. Be careful about personal and group account, stay safe.” Additionally, it also offers suggestions on how people can be safe. The video has also been reposted by Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani.
Let’s take a quick look at the security measure you need to take to stay safe on WhatsApp:
1. Chinese numbers, starting with +86 are barging into the Indian Army groups which are made on WhatsApp and our trying to extract our personal data. Make sure, you keep an eye on numbers starting with +86.
2. Users need to start checking all the groups they are a part of and do regular audits to check if any unauthorized number has been added to the group. Also, all your contacts in the group should be saved by names respectively.
3. If you change your mobile number, you should inform the group admin immediately.
4. Do regular scrutiny of unknown numbers.
5. Lastly, destroy the SIM card if you change your contact number and delete the WhatsApp Group on that number.
Early last year, the Army had set up a WhatsApp number for its soldiers to post their problems directly to Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat instead of going to the social media directly. The move came after a series of videos were posted online by personnel from the army, IAF and central police forces regarding various conditions that they work under. The WhatsApp number to register complaints is - +91 9643300008.
However, many in the army are apprehensive about this move as they say that it will be impossible to keep out any unwarranted messages that can come on WhatsApp. Since it is a common WhatsApp number, it will not be just the 1.3 million-strong Indian Army personnel who can send messages to the number but also anyone in the world. And also, there will be no check on what kind of text, video or link will be sent to the number.
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