MPs warned over Russian attempts to target them via WhatsApp

MPs have been warned for the second time in a month about foreign attempts to target them; this time by Russia.

House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has written to MPs to warn them about the use of WhatsApp and other messaging apps.

This comes after they were told last month to be wary of similar recruitment attempts linked to China’s intelligence service.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the warning was a matter for the Speaker, but added: “Like various security agencies in this country, we have been very clear about the threat posed by hostile state intervention from Russia, and have made that clear on many occasions.”

The National Cyber ​​Security Center (NCSC) said it was working with the government and Parliament to counter recent ‘phishing’ attempts that appear to be linked to Russia.

A government spokesperson said: “Spear phishing is a common but highly effective tactic used by threat actors seeking to access information, online accounts and devices.

“The National Cyber ​​Security Center is working with partners across the government and the UK Parliament in response to recent targeting of commercial messaging apps including Signal and WhatsApp.

“We strongly encourage individuals at high risk of being targeted to follow NCSC’s guidance and enroll in our cyber defense services to help strengthen their protection.”

Intelligence services will give security briefings to political parties, under plans unveiled by the security secretary last month to tackle espionage threats to the UK.

Election candidates will also be given new guidance to enable them to recognize and report suspicious activity.

Work will also be done with networking sites to thwart spies’ attempts to use them.

In addition, the security minister announced £170 million will be spent on updating the encrypted technology officers use to protect sensitive work, while another £130 million will be invested in a range of projects including strengthening the police.

There was a huge outcry last month after it was revealed that a Russian spy ship was targeting RAF pilots with lasers.

Defense minister Al Carns attacked after the Yantar ship was found operating off the north coast of Scotland and pointed lasers at surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities.

He told lawmakers that no one was injured but that the move was “an extremely dangerous and reckless attempt to disrupt our surveillance.”

MPs were being targeted by China with lucrative job offers on LinkedIn, according to intelligence services.

These initiatives follow a fierce debate over the collapse of an espionage case involving China.

MPs were outraged when the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) unexpectedly dropped charges against two men, Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry; He said the case collapsed because the government’s evidence did not show that China posed a threat to national security at the time of the alleged crimes.