Minister of Defense's mobile phone targeted in cyber attack that allowed messages to be sent in his name

Nuno Melo, the Minister of National Defense, reported that his mobile phone was hacked, allowing unauthorized individuals to send messages in his name. The attack exploited vulnerabilities due to the phone's inability to install software updates. Melo explained that the breach involved communication diversion and contact duplication, enabling third parties to impersonate him on WhatsApp. The issue was resolved by replacing the phone. An official source indicated that a message sent in Melo's name requested a money transfer, prompting security protocols to be activated after the attack was detected, which was attributed to a virus. The minister was alerted when his press advisor received a suspicious message.