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Russian intelligence-linked hackers are targeting users of popular messaging apps like Signal, gaining access to private messages and impersonating victims in a sweeping global campaign, according to a joint warning from the FBI and U.S. cybersecurity officials.
The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the operation has already compromised “thousands of individual” commercial messaging app (CMA) accounts, allowing attackers to read messages, access contact lists and send messages posing as the victim.
FBI Director Kash Patel warned the campaign is targeting individuals of “high intelligence value,” including U.S. officials, military personnel and journalists, and has already resulted in widespread account compromises.
Patel warned the attackers could exploit compromised accounts to impersonate victims and target others using a trusted identity.
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FBI Director Kash Patel listens during the Senate Committee on Intelligence hearings on Capitol Hill Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
“This global campaign has resulted in unauthorized access to thousands of individual CMA accounts,” the agencies said in a joint public service announcement.
“After compromising an account, malicious actors can view the victims’ messages and contact lists, send messages, and conduct additional phishing against other CMA accounts.”
Officials said the activity is linked to actors associated with Russian intelligence services.
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The Signal encrypted messaging application on a mobile device March 26, 2025. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“RIS actors have compromised individual CMA accounts, but not CMAs’ encryption or the applications themselves,” the FBI and CISA said.
The agencies emphasized the activity does not involve breaking Signal’s encryption. Instead, it relies on tricking…
