The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) strongly recommends concealing your phone number in Telegram as a fundamental step to enhance account security.
For robust protection of your Telegram account and the sensitive data it contains, it is crucial to hide your phone number within the messenger and activate two-factor authentication. These, among other vital recommendations, were officially published by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs on their dedicated Telegram channel, «Vestnik Cyberpolice of Russia» (Russian Cyberpolice Bulletin).
You can easily conceal your phone number from unknown users by navigating to Telegram`s «Privacy» settings. This measure will significantly enhance your communication privacy, reduce the likelihood of receiving unwanted messages from potential fraudsters, and minimize unsolicited spam from strangers. The MVD further advises disabling calls within the messenger`s settings from users who are not present in your contact list.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an indispensable layer of security to your Telegram account. This feature helps prevent unauthorized access even if malicious actors manage to gain control of your device or obtain your phone number. Another crucial piece of advice from the MVD is to refrain from storing critical or sensitive information in the «Saved Messages» section, as it might not be as secure as other protected storage options.
Furthermore, users are strongly urged to regularly review the list of active devices currently connected to their account. Should an unfamiliar or suspicious active connection be detected in the «Devices» section, it is imperative to immediately terminate that specific session («End Session») to revoke access.
Among other essential security recommendations from the Russian MVD, users should adhere to the following guidelines:
- Never disclose your login confirmation code to anyone, regardless of who claims to be asking for it.
- Exercise extreme caution and avoid clicking on any suspicious or unverified links received via Telegram or other platforms.
- Periodically update your account password to a strong, unique combination of characters.
- Disregard and avoid interacting with any websites or external resources that demand authorization directly through your Telegram account, as these are often phishing attempts.
