UK Parliament Members Targeted by Sophisticated Cyberattacks via WhatsApp and Signal

**UK Parliament Confirms Cyberattacks Targeting MPs via WhatsApp and Signal** The UK government has officially acknowledged a surge in sophisticated cyberattacks targeting Members of Parliament (MPs) and government officials, with Russia identified as the primary suspect. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, recently disclosed that hackers have exploited messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal to conduct spear-phishing campaigns against parliamentarians. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of the UK’s GCHQ, confirmed the attacks, revealing that threat actors impersonate customer support representatives to trick victims into compromising their accounts. MPs receive fraudulent messages claiming their WhatsApp accounts face suspension, prompting them to follow malicious instructions—leading to malware installation, account hijacking, or financial theft. This revelation follows an MI5 alert about Chinese nationals attempting to interfere in UK parliamentary processes through "Pig Butchering" investment scams, highlighting the growing sophistication of state-sponsored cyber operations. Messaging platforms, once considered secure, are now prime targets due to their widespread use and the ease of impersonation. While Meta has deployed AI-driven defenses to combat fraud, attackers continuously adapt, evading automated protections. The UK’s response—including NCSC advisories and direct warnings from Hoyle—underscores the escalating threat of digital espionage in global geopolitics. As cyberattacks evolve, the government’s ability to safeguard its digital infrastructure remains a critical challenge.