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Millions in Brazil receive fake misanthropy emergency alert
NDTV··21 Jun
Brazil's civil defense authority disabled its mobile emergency alert system on June 21 after a suspected cyberattack sent false Extreme Alert messages overnight. Secretary Wolnei Wolff said millions received messages remotely ordered from outside the national protection system. The word misanthropy, meaning hatred of humanity, appeared in the bogus alerts that woke residents across regions including Sao Paulo.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Cell broadcast alerts override silent mode with loud sounds and full-screen warnings.
- Anatel said there is no cause for public concern after the false messages.
- Federal police are investigating the overnight false Extreme Alert broadcasts.
What's Happening
- Brazil's civil defense authority disabled its mobile emergency alert system on June 21 after a suspected cyberattack.
- False messages containing the word misanthropy reached millions overnight from Friday to Saturday.
- Civil Defense Secretary Wolnei Wolff said orders came from outside the national protection system.
Alerts as Attack Surface
- The system uses cell broadcast technology to interrupt phones even on silent mode.
- Actress Monica Iozzi posted that a maddening beep in Sao Paulo felt like the world was falling apart.
- Authorities will restore service after security is bolstered.
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