Telegram Suffers Security Exploit: Are You at Risk?

• CertiK has warned Telegram users of potential exposure to a high-risk security vulnerability.
• The crypto industry is plagued by malicious actors who leverage security weaknesses.
• Users are advised to maintain vigilance to ensure protection against these attacks.

From SIM swap attacks to the deployment of malicious codes and phishing scams , cyberattackers in crypto employ various sophisticated techniques in attacks against industry participants for personal gain. Security vulnerabilities within firms and platforms are also frequently exploited by threat actors, who continuously evolve their tactics to launch attacks on unsuspecting victims.

The resulting apprehension has prompted security experts to ramp up their efforts to protect users from these malicious attacks, one of which has now flagged a recently discovered potential threat.

CertiK Alerts Telegram Vulnerability 

According to blockchain security firm CertiK Alert on Tuesday, April 9, a security vulnerability that poses a significant risk to users has been identified on the social messaging platform Telegram.

The threat, described as a potential Remote Code Execution (RCE), was identified in the media processing functionality within the Telegram desktop application. Typical attacks involving this threat are executed by sending specially crafted media files, such as images or videos, through the Telegram platform, which attackers could exploit to deploy malicious code on unsuspecting users’ devices.

To help you avoid falling victim to this threat, here are some tips and key safety practices to keep you safe from exposure to the vulnerability on your Telegram accounts and against similar threats in the crypto industry.

How to Prevent Exposure

Shielding your account from the Telegram vulnerability requires a simple-step modification of the application settings. 

• Go to Settings: Open the Telegram app on your device and navigate to the settings menu. This is usually accessible by tapping on your profile picture or selecting the three horizontal lines in the app’s top-left corner.
• Locate and Tap on “Advanced“: Within the settings menu, identify and select the “Advanced” option. Depending on your device, this may be located towards the bottom of the settings menu.
• Disable Auto-Download: Under the “Automatic Media Download” section in Advanced, you will find options to control the auto-download feature for media such as photos, videos, and files. Select each option to disable the automatic download of such files across all chat types, including private chats, groups, and channels.
• Extra Measures: Users are also advised to employ additional security measures, such as heightened vigilance and reinforced security measures, such as two-factor authentication and strengthened passwords.

By following these steps, you can effectively disable the auto-download feature on Telegram, reducing the risk of exposure to potential threats associated with the flagged vulnerability. While the security risk reportedly primarily affects the desktop Telegram application, adopting similar precautions across all devices is recommended to mitigate potential exploits.

Discover more preventive measures against other forms of attacks by reading this article:
How to Prevent a SIM Swap Attack as SEC Falls Prey

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