It has been revealed that government officials' data was stolen using mobile phones and other Android apps.

 Some suspicious apps on the Google Play Store are involved in targeting Pakistani officials. These apps steal personal and financial data with the consent of users, an advisory has been issued.

Saturday 7 December 2024

Islamabad (News International / Pakistan News - 07th December, 2024) It has been revealed that data of government officials has been stolen with the help of mobile phones and other Android apps, the National Computer Emergency Response Team (National Cert) has issued an advisory. According to media reports, the advisory states that some suspicious apps on the Google Play Store are involved in targeting Pakistani officials. These apps steal personal and financial data with the consent of users. These apps are involved in stealing media files, contact lists, call and message logs. Some of these applications offer personal information of Pakistani users for financial gains. Users unknowingly allow apps to access sensitive data.

The National Computer Emergency Team says in the advisory that users should install apps only from authentic sources. Users should regularly review app permissions to prevent unnecessary access. Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication should be used to prevent data theft.

The advisory also states that users should install reliable anti-virus and anti-malware firmware, location services should be turned off when not needed, users should avoid using smartphones in sensitive environments, and citizens and government officials should follow precautionary measures to avoid cyber security attacks.

It is being told that the federal government has banned the use of social media by government employees without permission. An office memorandum issued by the Establishment Division said that government employees cannot use any social media platform without permission. This decision was taken to prevent the disclosure of official information and documents, in which government employees were directed to abide by the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1964.

In this regard, the office memorandum stated that a government employee cannot express an opinion or make statements on social media without permission, a government employee cannot share official documents and information with unrelated persons, government employees cannot express opinions or facts that affect the government's reputation, employees are not allowed to speak against government policy, decisions, national sovereignty and dignity, nor can employees speak on the media that affects relations with other countries.