Telegram Data Breaches: How to Stay Safe

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While Telegram is often lauded for its focus on privacy and security, no platform is entirely immune to data breaches or sophisticated cyberattacks. Understanding the types of threats and implementing proactive measures is essential for keeping your Telegram account and personal data safe.

Unlike some messaging apps, Telegram's default "Cloud Chats" are telegram data not end-to-end encrypted. This means message content is stored on Telegram's servers, albeit with a distributed infrastructure designed to make mass decryption difficult. However, this centralized storage can still pose a theoretical risk if servers are compromised or if legal demands compel data disclosure. "Secret Chats," on the other hand, offer true end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and recipient can read the messages, and they are not stored on Telegram's servers.

Past Incidents and Common Threats:

While Telegram itself has a strong security posture, past incidents and ongoing threats often stem from other vectors:

Phishing and Social Engineering: This remains a primary threat. Attackers often try to trick users into revealing login codes or personal information through fake login pages, fraudulent "support" messages, or enticing "giveaways" or "premium subscriptions." Once they gain access to your account, they can impersonate you to scam your contacts.
Information Stealer Malware: Malware like "PupkinStealer" has been observed specifically targeting Telegram sessions and credentials on infected devices. These malware strains can steal passwords, session tokens, and even copy entire Telegram session files, allowing attackers to hijack your account.
Combolist Dumps: Large datasets of stolen credentials (email addresses, usernames, and passwords) from various unrelated breaches often circulate on platforms like Telegram and the dark web. If you've reused passwords, these combolists can lead to unauthorized access to your Telegram account.
Vulnerabilities in Third-Party Integrations: While Telegram's core app is generally secure, third-party bots or applications that integrate with Telegram's API could have their own vulnerabilities that expose user data.
How to Stay Safe:

Enable Two-Step Verification (2FA): This is arguably the most critical step. Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Two-Step Verification and set a strong password. This adds an extra layer of security, requiring this password in addition to the SMS code when logging in from a new device. Even if an attacker gets your SMS code, they won't be able to access your account without this 2FA password.
Regularly Review Active Sessions: Go to Settings > Devices (or Active Sessions). Here, you'll see a list of all devices currently logged into your Telegram account. If you see any unfamiliar devices or locations, immediately "Terminate" those sessions. This will log the attacker out.
Use Secret Chats for Sensitive Conversations: For truly private discussions, always initiate a Secret Chat. Remember these are device-specific and do not sync, but they offer the highest level of encryption.
Be Wary of Phishing Attempts and Suspicious Links: Never click on links from unknown sources, even if they appear to be from Telegram or a trusted contact. Always verify the authenticity of messages and requests. Telegram will never ask for your password or login code outside the app itself.
Hide Your Phone Number and "Last Seen": Go to Settings > Privacy and Security.
Phone Number: Set "Who can see my phone number?" to "Nobody" or "My Contacts." Also, consider "Who can find me by my number?" and set it to "My contacts."
Last Seen & Online: Set "Who can see my last seen & online" to "Nobody" or "My Contacts."
Control Group Invites and Calls: In Settings > Privacy and Security, set "Who can add me to group chats?" and "Who can call me?" to "My Contacts" to prevent unwanted interactions.
Keep Your App Updated: Ensure your Telegram app and device operating system are always updated to the latest versions. Updates often include security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Use a complex, unique password for your Telegram account (especially your 2FA password) that you don't use for any other online service. Consider using a password manager.
Employ Device Security: Use antivirus software on your devices, especially computers, and be careful about what software you install. Malware can compromise your device and, consequently, your Telegram account.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a suspicious bot, channel, or user, or suspect your account has been compromised, report it to Telegram support immediately.
By adopting these security practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of your Telegram account being compromised and protect your personal data from potential breaches.