In June 2022, the European Central Bank faced a hacking attempt. The target was none other than the President, Christine Lagarde. The attempt took place at the central bank’s headquarters in Frankfurt.

The bank swiftly identified and halted the attempt, and assured that no information was compromised. Despite this, the investigation continues and the bank had no further comments to make.

Reports suggest that the hack was initiated through a text message, purporting to be from former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cellphone number. The message requested communication through WhatsApp, claiming it to be a more secure method. Lagarde promptly called Merkel to verify the request, leading to the discovery of the hacking attempt.

The June 2022 hacking attempt on the European Central Bank, targeted at its President, Christine Lagarde, is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even the most secure institutions and individuals. The mere fact that a simple messaging app like WhatsApp could be used as a tool for such a malicious act is cause for alarm and a harbinger of potential widespread financial ruin.

The potential consequences of this hack are dire, as the hacker could have used the hacked WhatsApp account to gain access to sensitive information and financial accounts. The ways in which this could be achieved are numerous and equally concerning — from using the compromised account as a second factor for two-factor authentication to sending phishing messages and using social engineering tactics.

It is imperative for individuals and organizations to take online security seriously and to prioritize the protection of their sensitive information and financial accounts. Unfortunately, even the most careful and cautious measures can sometimes fail, as this hack on the European Central Bank so tragically illustrates.

This dark and foreboding incident serves as a warning to us all. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected and dependent on technology, making it easier for malicious actors to cause widespread financial ruin. It is essential that we remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety and security of our sensitive information and financial accounts, for the longer we delay the cyber collapse the better.