Ahmed Mukhtar Naqshbandi
ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Division has warned government officials about 120 suspicious adult chat apps that hostile intelligence agencies may use for espionage and information gathering.
The advisory includes 104 previously identified malicious apps and 16 new ones that use chat-cum-hacking methods to extract classified information from officials.
Individuals have been advised to always check application permissions before installation, install apps only from Google Play Store, and not enable apps from untrusted sources to prevent accidental installations.
Preventive measures
Additionally, individuals have been recommended to install and update reputed antivirus solutions on Android devices and scan suspected devices for infections. The advisory recommends avoiding insecure and unknown Wi-Fi networks and using two-factor authentication on internet banking apps, social media, and email accounts.
Individuals and officials have also been encouraged to regularly sensitize themselves to malicious actors’ tactics and techniques and to refrain from engaging in activities that may lead to exploitation.
List of malicious chat apps
These malicious applications include Rocket Chat, Safe Dialler, Phub, Omegle, U&lMe, o Babble V3, Private chat, Frlos, Chat lt, Rapid Chat, YoTalk, Ponr Hub, Photo Edition, Crypto Chat, TeleChatty, ZoIPER, Babble, Face Call, Buzz, Tweety Chat, VIBES, Converse, Lite it, Hex Chat, Xpress, Chat on, Vmate, Chirrups, Link Up, Safe Chat, Graphic Version.
These also include Secure Chat, Lite Chat, Pvt Chat, Cuftagu, Cheerio, Free VPN 3, Twin Me, Philions Chat, Just You, CuCu chat, FM WhatsApp, Quran Apk, Fruit Chat, Islamic Chat, SecureIt, ZanigV4, Spitfire, FaceChat, Seta/SA News, Wire, FireChat, Cable-1, Privee Chat, Buddy Chat, Stumped, Zong Chat (beta), ZangiV2, Media Services, Crazy Chat.
Suspicious adult chat applications also include Chat 24/7, Zapme, Chat Pt, Kakao Talk, ZongBoost, Audio and Video Recorder, ISPR News, Love Bae, Easy Chat, Zepp, Boss, ChitChat Box, Hideme, Skymate, Triover, Peppyz, LionVPN, Paigham Chat, Friend Chat, Pink WhatsAp.
Moreover, Dosti Chat, Star Talk, Gossip, Mobile Chat, Click (Aval on Google Play store), Yooho Chat, Howdee, Pryvate, Exodus, TalkU, Pakistani Mili Naghmee, Ab Talk, Text on Photos, Pakistani Chat Rooms, Imo, StripChat X, Text on Photos, Skype lite, Woo Plus, Intimo, Chat Privacy, Android Services, Android System Services, and Im Secure Chat.
Others include Bigo live lite, Live Chat Video Call WhatsApp, MeetU, Milli-Live Video Chat, JOJOO-Live Video Chat, Gibber Live Video Chat, Burn Chat Pro Video Chat, IBlink-Live Video Chat, Online Live Adult Video Chat, Video Chat with Strangers, Charm-Match with singles, Sexy Girl Video Chat, XV Random Video Chat, Bubble for Chat, Live: Live Random Video Chat, Live Talk Video Chat.
