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Nuno Melo targeted by cyberattack on mobile device
Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo revealed he was the victim of a cyberattack that allowed third parties to intercept communications and duplicate his contact list. The incident occurred while the minister was on an official mission in Athens, Greece.
The attack reportedly exploited vulnerabilities in the minister's mobile equipment, which could no longer receive recent software updates. This allowed attackers to use his number to send fraudulent WhatsApp messages in his name, including messages requesting financial transfers.
Following the detection of the anomaly by a press advisor, institutional security protocols were activated, and the minister's mobile equipment was replaced. The Presidency has stated that government communications follow security procedures applied by NATO and EU member states.
Entities
Athens · Citizens for Cybersecurity · Leitão Amaro · Ministry of National Defense · NATO · Nuno Melo · Portugal
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The intrusion exploited vulnerabilities caused by a lack of recent software updates. e24.pt · rr.pt · www.cmjornal.pt · pplware.sapo.pt
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Citizens for Cybersecurity (CpC) group demanded government clarification regarding the security of state communications. www.cmjornal.pt · pplware.sapo.pt
- [● 4 SOURCES] The attackers used WhatsApp to send messages in the minister's name. e24.pt · rr.pt · www.cmjornal.pt · pplware.sapo.pt
- [● 4 SOURCES] The attack allowed third parties to intercept communications and duplicate the minister's contact list. e24.pt · rr.pt · www.cmjornal.pt · pplware.sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] The minister's mobile equipment was replaced following the incident. e24.pt · rr.pt · pplware.sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] The fraudulent messages requested financial transfers. e24.pt · rr.pt · pplware.sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] Nuno Melo's personal and service mobile phones were targeted in a cyberattack. e24.pt · rr.pt · www.cmjornal.pt