A message asking you to vote for a child in an online competition may actually be a scam. Cybercriminals use such requests to trick users into clicking suspicious links and gaining unauthorized access to their Telegram accounts.
The Center for Countering Disinformation has warned about this fraudulent scheme, emphasizing that even a seemingly harmless message can pose a serious threat to personal information and financial security.
After clicking a phishing link, users may be asked to enter their phone number, verification code, or other confidential information. Once scammers obtain these details, they may take control of the account, access private conversations, and use the compromised profile to deceive other people.
To reduce the risk of your Telegram account being hacked, follow these five simple security steps:
- Review your privacy settings. Limit who can see your phone number, profile picture, and personal information.
- Control group invitations. Adjust your settings to determine who can add you to group chats and channels without your permission.
- Check active sessions. Open Telegram's settings, review the list of devices currently logged into your account, and terminate any unfamiliar sessions.
- Enable two-step verification. Set up an additional password to protect your account even if someone manages to obtain your login verification code.
- Avoid suspicious links. Be especially cautious of messages asking you to vote in competitions, claim prizes, or urgently confirm personal information.
Cybersecurity experts emphasize that no messaging platform can guarantee complete protection against fraud. However, properly configured security settings and increased awareness of suspicious messages can significantly reduce potential risks.
The most important rule is to never share your login verification codes or account passwords with anyone.