Russians provide guidance on safeguarding against scammers on Max messaging app
The state messenger Max, a platform for communication, integration with state services, and financial operations, has recently become a target for scammers, according to cybersecurity expert Alexei Kurochkin.
Max, a new platform with over two million users, is set to become mandatory for pre-installation on all new smartphones sold in Russia starting from September 1, 2025. Despite its growing popularity, concerns about potential risks associated with using the messenger have been raised.
Alexei Kurochkin has warned that criminals may offer potential victims help with connecting to "Gosuslugi," a government service platform, on Max. This could potentially lead to fraudulent activities. The Ministry of Digital Development of Russia has reported that Max will simplify the submission of documents for electronic signature in the "Goskluch" application, but it will not be mandatory for this procedure.
Nizhny Novgorod universities are planning to switch to Max, but concerns about its security persist. According to Kurochkin, cases of fraud in Max are still rare but indicate that scammers will continue to try to use the new platform to profit from Russians.
Lawyer Alexander Haminskiy has also warned about the risks of using Max, developed by the company VK. While no direct citations are available, concerns about Russian-made messaging apps like Max often involve risks such as data privacy and surveillance, security vulnerabilities potentially exploited for cyberespionage, and data being stored or transmitted through Russia, raising censorship or monitoring risks.
To protect against scammers, Kurochkin advises users to be vigilant. As Max continues to grow in popularity, it is essential for users to be aware of these potential risks and take necessary precautions to safeguard their personal information and security.
- Despite Max's integration with state services and financial operations, cybersecurity expert Alexei Kurochkin advises users to be vigilant due to increasing concerns about potential fraud and cybersecurity threats.
- As Max becomes mandatory for pre-installation on new smartphones in Russia and gains popularity, particularly in universities, it is crucial for technology advancements in science and general-news domains to address these security concerns to ensure user safety.
