Hackers send fake nuclear attack warnings through Ukraine and Russia emergency alert apps
BREACHRussia's Ministry of Emergency Situationsredteam/daily · 3 sources
- Severity
- High
- Sources
- 3
What happened
Cyberattacks compromised the emergency alert apps of Ukraine and Russia on the evening of Sunday 1 November, pushing fabricated messages about nuclear, chemical and radiation threats to users' devices. Ukraine's Air Force said its Air Alert app was likely compromised and Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed its app had been abused and later restored it. Both governments pointed the public to sirens, SMS, broadcasts and official accounts as primary warning channels.
For IT people · Written by AI from 3 sources · Wrong?
What to do
- Rely on official sirens, SMS, state broadcasts and verified government social media accounts for emergency warnings.
- Enable the iOS or Android emergency alerts on your phone, as recommended by Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Affairs.
- Treat alarming nuclear or radiation messages from apps as unverified until confirmed by official sources.
Written by AI from the sources, checked against them
Full story timeline · 3 updates
- Mon 2 NovemberHackers Target Emergency Alert Apps in Ukraine and Russia, Sending Fake Nuclear Attack WarningsGBHackers
- Nuclear threats and street brawls: Russia, Ukraine report attacks on their emergency alert appsThe Register (all)
- Tue 3 NovemberHackers Hijack Emergency Alert Apps in Ukraine and Russia to Send Fake Nuclear Attack WarningsCyber Security News
Who reported · 3 outlets
GBHackersThe Register (all)Cyber Security News
Who and what is in it
Government agencies