Baramati, Maharashtra
Supriya Sule, a prominent Member of Parliament from Baramati, recently faced a harrowing experience as her WhatsApp account was hacked, prompting her to issue a public warning about cybersecurity practices. In a post on X, Sule urged her followers not to call or message her during this unsettling time and emphasized the importance of never sharing One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or clicking on unknown links.
Incident Overview
The incident took place over the weekend when Sule received a message from a friend asking her to resend a deleted message. Upon doing so, she immediately lost access to her WhatsApp account, later learning that hackers had demanded a ransom of $400 from her team. After three hours of distress, Sule managed to regain access to her account with the help of the Pune Rural Police's Cyber Cell.
Following the hacking, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed at the Yavat Police Station. The case has since been transferred to the Cyber Cell for further investigation. Police Inspector Umesh Tavaskar explained that Sule was tricked into clicking a malicious link, which led to the compromise of her account.
Tavaskar detailed the recovery process, stating, We provided her with the SOP to file a complaint through Meta, which required details such as her email ID and IMEI number. By evening, her account was restored. The investigation also involved sending an email to Meta for information about the individuals who accessed Sule's account before the hack, including their IP address and internet service details.
The Broader Implications of the Hacking
This incident highlights a growing trend of WhatsApp hacking in India. Last month, Prafull Kumar Bharat, the Advocate General of Chhattisgarh, experienced a similar breach, where scammers used his account to solicit money from acquaintances. Cybersecurity experts warn that such attacks can originate from known contacts, making them even more deceptive.
Experts like Rupesh Mittal, a cybercrime consultant, explain that while WhatsApp employs end-to-end encryption, hackers often exploit social engineering tactics to gain access. Common methods include sending malicious links, persuading users to share OTPs, and employing screen-sharing apps.
Expert Recommendations for Users
In light of these threats, experts recommend several safety measures:
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security beyond OTPs.
- Avoid Clicking Unknown Links: Always be cautious about messages from unverified sources.
- Never Share OTPs: Treat OTPs as confidential information.
- Verify Requests for Sensitive Actions: Be skeptical of unusual requests, even from known contacts.
Conclusion
As Supriya Sule's experience illustrates, the threat of cybercrime is real and growing. With the increasing prevalence of hacking incidents, especially on messaging platforms, users must remain vigilant and adopt robust security practices to protect their accounts. Experts emphasize that while platforms like WhatsApp have security measures in place, users play a crucial role in safeguarding their information.
