Telegram bot security: how to protect data and maintain user privacy

Expert Yevhen Kasyanenko, head of KISS Software, is convinced:

“A bot is part of your business right in smartphones, which means it needs the same level of protection as a cash register or warehouse.”

It’s hard to disagree with this opinion, so today we’ll talk about why security is so important in business automation, how dangerous bots in Telegram can be, and how to protect your data.

Why Telegram bot security is so important

Telegram has become such an accessible app with a wide range of features that today a chatbot in the messenger can, for example:

• sell a concert ticket,
• accept payment for coffee delivery,
• send a contract to a partner, and much more

The more valuable the content, the more attention it attracts from malicious actors. The facts speak for themselves:

• Every third attack on small businesses is related to Telegram bots.
• 32 hours is the average downtime of a service after an incident. During this time, customers can easily switch to a competitor.
• $15,000 is the estimated average financial loss after a successful attack on a Telegram bot store. This is according to Cybersecurity Ventures for 2023, and the exact amount depends on the scale of the business and the nature of the incident.

According to research on cybersecurity for small businesses and online commerce, losses from hacks typically include direct financial losses, service downtime, and additional recovery costs.

Small companies are particularly attractive because they rarely hire a security specialist and use default settings.

To summarize, we would like to share a question and answer from our specialist. So, we asked: Are bots in Telegram safe in principle? Yevhen Kasyanenko gave a comprehensive answer:

“They will be as safe as possible if you treat them like a real office – organize professional and high-level protection.”

The main threats and dangers of bots in Telegram

The bot stores the access token to the functionality, communicates with customers, and accumulates orders. If this channel is not protected, unauthorized persons—whether spammers, competitors, or fraudsters—can easily access the same data. Below, we list the main vulnerabilities of Telegram bots and explain how they affect the money and reputation of a business.

Token leakage and account hacking

A token is a bot’s secret code. If it is accidentally published on the internet, anyone can gain complete control over the business process. Our expert describes a number of consequences:

• spam messages sent on your behalf damage your reputation;
• order data is downloaded into the wrong hands;
• Telegram blocks your account for suspicious activity.

Here are some methods to protect yourself:

• Store the token in a secret manager, not in a file stored in the cloud.
• If you share the code with a contractor, issue a temporary token as a one-time pass.
• If you notice a leak, immediately create a new key via @BotFather and check the logs.

Phishing and fake bots

Scammers copy your bot’s avatar, slightly change the nickname, and send out super discounts. The user sees a familiar design, enters their card number, and that’s it — the money goes to the criminal.

In this case, it’s best not to ignore these rules:

• Always specify the exact name of the official bot in advertisements and on the website.
• At the beginning of the dialogue, include the message: “Beware of copies, our only nickname is @brand_bot.”
• Once a week, search for similar nicknames using global search. If you find a doppelganger, report it to @notoscam.

DDoS and mass spam

During a 50% off sale, a bot can receive thousands of fake commands per second. The server becomes overloaded and purchases are disrupted.

Be vigilant:

• Set a limit of no more than 5 requests per 60 seconds from a single account.
• Add a captcha to the critical Buy command.
• Host the bot on a server with automatic scaling.

The importance of security

In January 2024, an online clothing store team launched a Telegram bot to take orders. The bot was developed by a contractor, and to speed up the process, the token was added to a shared Google Docs file with no access restrictions. Three days later, the bot started sending spam: “Buy cryptocurrency at a discount!” – on behalf of the store. The store’s reputation suffered: regular customers complained, Telegram blocked the bot, and the store itself was shadowbanned.

After the incident, the business implemented three rules:

• one token = one task, everything else – temporary keys;
• real-time monitoring of bot activity.

This case shows how important token protection is.

Key measures for maintaining confidentiality and protecting data

The basic logic is this: the fewer gaps, the less likely an attacker will choose you. Below, we will demonstrate seven useful security habits that any bot owner can implement without delving deeply into the code.

Setting up security at the account level

“Before talking about tokens and servers, make sure your personal account is securely locked. If an attacker takes control of it, they will automatically gain access to the bot,” says our expert.

To increase security, consider using the following options:

• Two-factor authentication (2FA). Telegram allows you to set a cloud password. Even if your phone falls into someone else’s hands, they won’t be able to log in without the second code. If you lose your device, the attacker will only see the password entry screen, and the bot will remain safe.
• PIN code to launch the app. Four digits or a fingerprint add another layer of protection if someone opens your smartphone.
• SIM card protection. Sign a contract with your operator for a legal entity or connect the SIM passport service. Then it will be almost impossible to re-register the number without you.

Encryption and secure storage of tokens

Keeping a token in an open file is like leaving your office keys at the reception desk or under the doormat. So don’t ignore these tips:

• Store the key in environment variables (.env) or a secret manager (AWS Secrets Manager, HashiCorp Vault).
• Use encrypted HTTPS connections for all bot requests to your server.
• At the first sign of a leak, immediately reissue the token through @BotFather and check the access logs.

Protection against spam and bot attacks

Spammers choose the easiest path. Add a few obstacles and they will go to your competitor:

• Request limit – no more than 5 commands per minute from one user.
• Captcha on critical operations such as “Pay” or “Place order.”
• IP filtering – if one address sends hundreds of messages, the bot temporarily blocks it.

Monitoring and logging

Reliable bot operation is only possible when its status is constantly monitored. Implement three simple rules:

• Action logging. Keep logs of which commands users run and what parameters they pass. This will help reproduce the malfunction and find the source of the attack.
• Automatic alerts. Set up notifications in Slack, Telegram, or email if the number of 500 errors or the frequency of requests from a single account exceeds a specified threshold. You will learn about the problem before your customers notice it.
• Load visualization. Connect Grafana or Zabbix: dashboards will display increases in CPU, memory, and network traffic, allowing you to respond before the bot starts to slow down.

Examples of practical approaches to protecting Telegram bots

Most often, bots fail not because of complex exploits, but because of trivial things, such as postponing updates until tomorrow, giving everyone the same password, or choosing the cheapest server. Here are three common mistakes and simple ways to fix them:

• Deferred updates. Install critical patches on the day they are released or assign someone to be responsible for this. The risk of disrupting operations is less than the risk of being hacked on an old version.
• One password for everyone. Issue personal access via a password manager. When an employee leaves, access can be blocked with a single click.
• Saving on hosting. The minimum rate without auto-scaling can drop on Black Friday and cost you revenue. Choose a provider with DDoS filters and elastic resources.

Even small gaps in security can quickly undermine customer trust.

Why expert help can be critical

Making a simple bot is not a problem. But when serious tasks are at stake, everything changes. When a bot needs to do more than just say hello, but also process confidential data, connect to CRM, contact payment services, and work without failures, a whole new level begins.

Well-thought-out architecture, protection from potential vulnerabilities, and competent integration are important here. After all, any mistake is not just a bug. It is a risk of data leakage, loss of customers, and direct losses.

A professional approach from Yevhen Kasyanenko and the KISS team

The KISS Software team builds protection for Telegram bots according to a clear plan, thanks to which the owner receives a service that is resistant to attacks and is not distracted by technical details:

• First, we conduct an express audit: we check tokens, administrator rights, error logs, and server settings, and then provide a short report with a clear list of vulnerabilities and their priority for elimination.
• Within the next 48 hours, basic protection is implemented: we enable two-factor authentication, transfer the token to the secret manager, and set a limit on the frequency of commands—the bot receives reliable “locks” and “alarms.”
• Next, we expand the perimeter: we connect an HTTPS certificate, set up backup and a monitoring system with automatic alerts. The service remains under round-the-clock surveillance, and data rollback takes only a few minutes if necessary.
• After the technology, we train people: in a one-hour webinar and checklist, employees learn how to update the bot, where to store keys, and what to do in case of suspicious activity, so that the human factor ceases to be a weak link.
• The scheme is completed by ongoing support: we monitor logs, respond to incidents, and update filters – the owner does not need a separate full-time security specialist.

This method has proven its effectiveness in real projects, as Yevhen Kasyanenko explained:

“In one confectionery shop, a token ended up on GitHub, and the bot sent out spam. We reissued the key, enabled limits, and set up monitoring—the problem was solved in 45 minutes and did not return.”

“Another striking example is when fraudsters launched a clone bot in an online school and collected payments. We found the fake, filed a complaint, added a ”Check Original“ button, and returned the money to the owner.”

We assess the risks of using bots, shut them down, and make sure they don’t come back!

What we do to give you confidence

• Security audit. We analyze the bot’s logic and code in detail. We look for vulnerabilities in access rights, tokens, web hooks, and third-party integrations. The report contains a priority list of risks and recommendations that are easy to understand without technical jargon.
• Technological barrier. We transfer tokens to a secret manager and set up their automatic encryption. We deploy the bot on hosting with anti-DDoS and reserve capacity for peak loads. We set up daily backups so that any failure can be rolled back in a couple of clicks.
• Team training. We conduct a webinar and provide a checklist. How to store keys, what request limits to consider safe, what to do in case of suspicious activity. Your employees know where to click and who to write to if something goes wrong.

If you need to protect an already launched project or create a new turnkey bot, the KISS Software team can handle both issues.

Conclusion: how to avoid threats and maintain user trust

Telegram bots are a powerful tool for business. But if they are not configured correctly, they can also become a vulnerability. It is enough to analyze two important questions to understand the whole point:

• What is the danger of bots in Telegram if they are not protected? – Data leaks, account blocking, and customer loss.
• Are bots in Telegram safe? – Yes, when specialists take care of it.

To avoid problems, it is important to think about protection right away. Here are the basic things that cannot be ignored:

1. Store tokens and access credentials securely – two-factor authentication, passcodes, no accidental “leaks.”
2. Check incoming data – bots should not be triggered by malicious scripts or strange requests.
3. Log and monitor – this way, you will immediately notice if something goes wrong and can react quickly.

If it is important to you that everything works reliably and without surprises, entrust the task to professionals. Our KISS team, led by Yevhen Kasyanenko, creates Telegram bots that not only solve business tasks but also meet modern security requirements.

With us, you get more than just a bot; you get the confidence that your data and your customers’ trust are reliably protected.