A malicious hacking group called Handala Hack claimed they had accessed Viber’s servers and acquired substantial data.
The group allegedly acquired 740 gigabytes of data and declared they had seized the messaging app’s source code. Moreover, they immediately demanded a ransom of 8 Bitcoin, equivalent to approximately $583,000, to return the stolen data.
Handala Hack used Telegram to announce their recent claims.
Handala Hack announced their successful operation on Telegram. In addition, they provided details of their exploit and shared an alleged directory listing as proof of their breach.
However, their message has taken some political agendas after stating that they attacked Viber since they are affiliated with governmental entities that have odds with their cause.
Viber, a messaging platform founded in 2010, is a Japanese multinational corporation already earning approximately $900 million. It immediately responded to the allegations and denied the legitimacy of the concrete evidence of a breach or data compromise.
The company also acknowledged the severity of the claims and initiated an urgent investigation. Additionally, Viber assured users that they’re treating the situation with the utmost priority.
If the breach became apparent, it would be one of the most significant data breaches to date, potentially exposing Viber’s user base’s personal messages, call logs, contact details, and financial information.
This issue poses a significant threat to users, prompting researchers to underscore the potential consequences of such a breach.
Handala Hack, known for their pro-Palestinian agenda, has a history of targeting Israeli institutions and their affiliates. This group is notorious for using sophisticated tactics like phishing emails and SQL injection attacks since it helped them to disrupt various sectors, such as infrastructure, healthcare, media, and defence.
Regardless of the validity of Handala Hack’s claims, the incident still shows the impact of insufficient data security measures for platforms like Viber. The company must be transparent with its user base and address concerns and potential risks associated with the alleged breach.
On the other hand, Viber users should be more cautious, update passwords, remain vigilant against phishing attempts and unsolicited communications, and stay informed through officials about this developing issue.
