 "Scan the QR code and be careful, hackers have laid such a trap that many ministers are also trapped")
Moscow: Those scanning QR codes need to be careful. Because by scanning the malicious QR code, your entire mobile phone will be under the control of hackers. Recently, attempts have been made to trap many ministers of Western countries through QR codes. Hackers associated with Russia’s intelligence agency FSB have recently carried out a ‘cyber attack’ on government ministers around the world. The attack took place before Donald Trump became president.
As reported by The Guardian, WhatsApp accounts of ministers and officials were targeted. According to the report, a group called ‘Star Blizzard’ has adopted a new strategy to access intelligence information. In this, hackers send emails to the person they want to target. At first glance it looks like it was sent by the US government. It contains a QR code, which allegedly connects to a WhatsApp group.
But as soon as this QR code is scanned, it will instantly connect the mobile device to the hackers’ computer. Any message sent by the victim after this will be visible to the hackers. The UK National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) has linked Star Blizzard to efforts aimed at disrupting political processes in the UK and other countries. Microsoft has disclosed this trick of Russian hackers. Microsoft described it as a new phishing attack targeting people involved in diplomacy, defense policy and Ukraine-related matters.
Microsoft warned
According to Microsoft, a technique called ‘Quishing’ has been used in this attack. In this QR code is used for cyber crime. Scanning QR codes increases the risk of personal data theft. According to the report, Star Blizzard targeted ordinary people as well as government ministers, officials and even people involved in diplomacy and international relations. This is not the first time that Star Blizzard has tried to interfere in political processes.
Hacking through email
Today, QR codes are being used in everything from payments. Due to this, cyber criminals are also using it. Microsoft has said that hackers send emails that look too real. In such a case, whenever something or a link comes on email, one should be very careful about it. A WhatsApp spokesperson said that if you want to connect your device to a computer, you should visit the messaging app’s website itself.