Nuked 
Hello followers! Today, let’s dive into a surprising story about messaging apps and security mishaps that might make you think twice about what you use for communication.
Recently, a messaging service favored by former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz had to shut down temporarily. The app, which wasn’t developed by Signal itself, was used to access and save Signal messages. It turns out a hacker managed to steal data from TeleMessage, a small Israeli company that modifies messaging apps for US government use, including versions of Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, and WeChat.
This breach revealed that direct messages and group chats from these modified apps were compromised. TeleMessage, acquired by Smarsh in early 2024, is now investigating the security lapse. Smarsh confirmed they have suspended all TeleMessage services as a precaution while working with cybersecurity experts.
Mike Waltz was seen using this TeleMessage Signal clone during a White House meeting, raising questions about the security of sensitive government communications. Notably, Waltz’s ability to keep these communications secure has been under scrutiny, especially after he accidentally invited a journalist into a Signal chat discussing military plans.
The TeleMessage website had previously advertised features like capturing, archiving, and monitoring messages from Signal, including calls, media, and files, claiming to preserve full Signal functionality — even encryption. However, the current site no longer mentions Signal, and links are disabled. An anonymous hacker claimed that breaching the system took minimal effort and that the archived logs were not end-to-end encrypted, exposing significant vulnerabilities.
The breach included data from various organizations, such as Customs and Border Protection and financial institutions like Coinbase. The incident underscores how adding archiving capabilities to security-focused messaging apps can introduce risks, especially if not properly secured.
Stay tuned, folks, because this story reminds us to be cautious about the apps we trust, especially when they handle our most confidential chats. Keep your digital conversations safe!
