This weekend’s scheduled Blue Origin rocket launch is rather momentous. Success would signal an end to SpaceX’s monopoly on reusable orbital launch vehicles, and set up a three-way race to make that “No Service” indicator on your phone disappear forever.

On Sunday morning, Jeff Bezos’ massive New Glenn rocket is scheduled to launch with the first-stage booster that launched and landed on the program’s second mission last November. It’s a critical test, because cost-effective booster reuse is what’s made SpaceX’s Falcon 9 so dominate.

Amazon desperately needs a reusable rocket of its own to accelerate its Leo launches. Without one, it’s only been able to launch 241 Leo satellites, putting it well behind schedule. In that same 12-month time period, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was able to deploy over 1,500 satellites to its Starlink constellation.

Sunday’s mission will carry AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite to low Earth orbit. Instead of blanketing the region with thousands of small satellites like Amazon and SpaceX, AST’s plan is to deploy fewer satellites that are much more powerful. Bluebird 7 features a massive 2,400-square-foot phased-array antenna, making it the largest commercial communications array ever deployed in low Earth orbit. It’s essentially a cell tower in space, and will be the second of the company’s “Block 2” next-generation satellites to launch.

The BlueBird 7 is designed to provide 4G and 5G broadband, at speeds exceeding 120 Mbps, to the phones we already carry. AST plans to have 45 to 60 satellites launched by the end of 2026. When AST lights up its service sometime this year, it will be in direct competition with Starlink’s direct-to-cell service, already operating with T-Mobile in the US, and Globalstar, the satellite network snapped up by Amazon that keeps iPhones and Apple Watches communicating in dead zones.

You probably think your messages are safe. After all, apps like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram promote strong encryption.

But a new warning from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows that attackers do not need to break encryption at all.

Instead, they are going after you.

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FBI WARNS ABOUT FOREIGN APPS AND YOUR DATA
 

What the FBI and CISA just revealed

According to the joint advisory, cyber actors tied to Russian intelligence are running large-scale phishing campaigns targeting messaging apps.

These attacks are not random. They have focused on high-value targets like government officials, military personnel and journalists. However, the tactics can easily spread to everyday users.

Here is the key takeaway: Hackers are not cracking the apps themselves. They are tricking people into giving up access. 

How these messaging app attacks actually work

This is where it gets interesting and a bit unsettling. Instead of breaking encryption, attackers use phishing to gain control of individual accounts. Once inside, they can:

• Read private conversations
• Access contact lists
• Send messages as if they were you
• Launch new scams targeting your contacts

It becomes a chain reaction. One compromised account can quickly lead to many more. In some cases, attackers impersonate trusted contacts. That makes the scam feel real and urgent.

Why encryption is not enough anymore

Encryption still matters. It protects messages as they travel between devices. But here is the problem. If someone logs into your account, they see everything just like you do.

That means even the most secure app cannot protect you if your login gets compromised. This is a shift in how cyberattacks work. The weakest link is no longer the technology. It is human behavior.

AI IS NOW POWERING CYBERATTACKS, MICROSOFT WARNS
 

Who is at risk from messaging app phishing attacks

While the advisory highlights high-profile targets, the tactics are not limited to them.

If you use messaging apps for:

• Personal conversations
• Work communication
• Sharing sensitive information

You are a potential target. Phishing works because it relies on simple mistakes. A quick tap on the wrong link is often all it takes. 

What this means for you

This warning highlights a bigger trend. Cyberattacks are becoming more personal. Instead of attacking systems, hackers are targeting people directly. That makes awareness your strongest defense. The more you understand how these scams work, the harder it becomes for attackers to succeed.

Ways to stay safe from messaging app phishing attacks

You do not need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. You just need to slow things down and follow a few smart habits.

1) Be skeptical of unexpected messages

If a message feels urgent or out of place, pause. Even if it looks like it came from someone you know.

2) Never click suspicious links

Avoid links sent through messages unless you can verify them independently. Strong antivirus software can help detect suspicious behavior after a compromise. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

3) Turn on two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of protection even if your password gets exposed.

TECH GIANTS UNITE TO FIGHT ONLINE SCAMS
 

4) Watch for login alerts

Many apps notify you when a new device signs in. Do not ignore these warnings.

5) Verify requests in another way

If a contact asks for something unusual, call them or confirm through another channel.

6) Use a data removal service

Limit how much of your personal information is available online. Data removal services work to delete your data from broker sites, making it harder for scammers to target you with convincing phishing messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

7) Keep your device and apps updated

Install updates regularly. Security patches fix vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit after gaining access.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Messaging apps feel private. They feel secure. That sense of comfort is exactly what attackers are counting on. The technology is still strong. The real question is whether your habits are keeping up. So the next time a message pops up that feels slightly off, trust that instinct and take a second look.

Have you ever received a suspicious message that made you stop and question if it was real? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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YouTube is making some changes that might affect how you share videos from the mobile app. From the app, you can finally share videos from a specific timestamp, which will make it easier to point someone to a part of a video you might want them to see while you’re on your phone. However, this change will replace the Clips feature that lets you make a shareable clip from a video.

You’ll still be able to watch any Clips that you’ve already made. But moving forward, “the ability to set an end time or include a custom description when sharing will no longer be available,” YouTube says. The company notes that while clipping is “important way for creators to reach new audiences,” it says that “a number of third-party tools with advanced clipping features and authorized creator programs are now available to do this across different video platforms.”

The company originally introduced the Clips feature in 2021.