Portugal Defense Minister Nuno Melo targeted in cyberattack

Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo has revealed he was the target of a cyberattack involving his personal mobile phone. The incident allowed third parties to exploit software vulnerabilities on a device that could no longer receive updates, enabling them to duplicate contacts and use WhatsApp to impersonate the minister and divert communications.

The National Cybersecurity Center (CNCS) was notified of the breach and, in coordination with the Judicial Police, implemented mitigation measures, including replacing the minister's device. While the CNCS has not confirmed whether sensitive national defense information or personal data was compromised, the Ministry of Defense has declined to provide further details regarding potential disclosure to NATO or EU allies.

Speaking in the Assembly of the Republic, Melo downplayed the incident, stating that no one is immune to such intrusions and noting that similar attacks have affected officials in Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States. He described his public disclosure of the event as having a “pedagogical” purpose to warn citizens about the importance of software updates.