Major WhatsApp Security Breach Hits Hyderabad
Hyderabad witnessed a significant cybersecurity incident over the weekend as cyber fraudsters targeted numerous WhatsApp users and groups with malicious Android Package Kit (APK) files. The sophisticated attack even reached official WhatsApp groups operated by the offices of cabinet ministers, raising serious security concerns.
The cyber criminals specifically impersonated the State Bank of India (SBI) while distributing these harmful APK files, creating a false sense of trust among potential victims. The scale of the attack was substantial, affecting a large number of users across the city.
High-Profile Targets and Swift Response
Sources within the secretariat revealed that public relations officers and administrators of official WhatsApp groups belonging to prominent political figures went into immediate high alert mode. The security teams responsible for groups operated by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, and other ministers quickly updated security features across all vulnerable platforms.
In one particularly alarming instance, a fraudster managed to change a group icon before being detected by an alert administrator. The swift action that followed included immediate blocking of the suspicious member, removal from the group, and warnings issued to all group participants about the dangerous APK files.
Severe Risks and Official Response
According to cyber police officials, these fake APK files pose extreme dangers to mobile device security. These malicious files can take complete control of smartphones, access personal contacts, infiltrate WhatsApp groups, and harvest sensitive banking information that could lead to substantial financial losses for victims.
When contacted by media representatives, Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) officials confirmed they had received complaints through the national cyber crime helpline number 1930 regarding the APK file distribution. However, formal registration of cases is still pending completion at this stage.
Similarly, Hyderabad Cyber Crime police stated they hadn't received any formal complaints specifically about this incident, though they acknowledged a pattern of similar threats. A police representative noted that while they regularly receive complaints about APK files, the Sunday attack stood out due to its scale and the deliberate misuse of SBI's reputable name to deceive targets.
Authorities emphasize that APK files represent the standard format for distributing and installing mobile applications and middleware, making them particularly dangerous when used maliciously by cyber criminals seeking unauthorized access to personal devices and sensitive information.
