In the first warning of its kind to the countrymen, the Indian Army has asked people to be vigilant as the Chinese are hacking digital media, including WhatsApp and urged them to be alert with any numbers starting with +86.
Mobile users are also asked to regularly audit their social media groups and be on guard if any new unidentified number is trying to join the WhatsApp.
These sets of directives issued in a video titled “Be Alert, Be Cautious, Be Safe” released by the Army’s Directorate General Public Interface on Monday comes months after all the troops deployed on the line of Actual Control (lAC) were ordered not to use Chinese made smart phones. This precautionary step was taken as the Chinese could locate the position of troops, the order said and listed more than 35 brand names to be avoided.
The latest caution to people at large through a tweet said “the Chinese use all kinds of platform to penetrate your digital world. WhatsApp groups are a new way of hacking into your system.”
The video said the hackers can steal all valuable data of the user and asked people to be exercise caution if any number starting with +86 appears in the WhatsApp group.
Issuing this advisory, the Army also asked users to conduct regular audits of their groups and in case if the SIM is changed it should be destroyed completely.
This step is also applicable in case the user goes in for a new mobile number, the tweet warning stipulated.
The advisory also said when opting for a new mobile number, the information should be immediately shared with the group administrator.
Moreover, the number of all the known contacts should be saved as a precaution and WhatsApp number of the old mobile number should be deleted.
The Government at regular intervals keeps issuing such advisories to the personnel of Armed forces, including the Army, Navy and IAF, regarding the perils of smart phones and refrain from mentioning deployment of personnel in social media.
However, this is the first time that the Army has given a general alert to people all over the country regarding the threat faced by Chinese hackers.