Meta blocks Iranian hacking attempt targeting US officials on WhatsApp

They attempted to trick the officials into giving up their account information. Thankfully, users reported the suspicious activity, and Meta blocked the fake accounts before any harm was done. Meta confirmed that there was no evidence of any WhatsApp accounts being successfully hacked.

APT42 is a well-known hacking group that specializes in using advanced surveillance software to spy on people. This software allows hackers to listen to phone calls, steal text messages, and even turn on cameras and microphones without the victim knowing. Cybersecurity experts have been tracking APT42 for a long time, linking them to numerous cyber-attacks with political motives.

Meta also mentioned that this recent hacking attempt is part of a broader effort by the same group to target US presidential campaigns, a threat that had been highlighted by Microsoft and Google earlier this month. These attempts are particularly concerning as the US presidential election is coming up in November.

While Meta did not name the specific individuals targeted, they noted that the hackers were focused on political and diplomatic officials, business leaders, and other public figures. The targeted individuals were based in the US, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Iran, and the United Kingdom.