It is 2025 and mobile telephone numbers are omnipresent. We use our telephone numbers to register for websites and online services, from retail and banking to social media and healthcare providers. You can use your telephone number to reset a forgotten password, and even for receiving two-factor authentication codes for safe logging in to your accounts.
But if someone can steal your telephone number, they can become effective.
With your telephone number, a hacker can get access to your online accounts and even fooled automated systems to think that they are when calling customer service. A hijacked telephone number can sometimes be used to access a company’s network as if they were that employee, which makes access to sensitive files and data possible.
This is all the more reason to proactively protect your telephone number against Sim Swapping, a kind of cyber attack in which a hacker hijacks the telephone number of a victim. The good news is that it is easier than ever to lock your number.
SIM exchange attacks usually happen when a malicious hacker evokes a cell carrier who presents himself as a specific customer. This hacker would use information that they found online, such as the name and date of birth of a customer, and then ask a customer service representative to transfer that number or “port” to another SIM card or carrier. Once that process is completed, the telephone number of the person is activated on a SIM card or telephone that is controlled by the hacker so that they can call and send SMS messages as if they are the person they have just hacked.
Often the only sign this has happened, if the victim suddenly loses the mobile service for apparently no reason.
SIM -Swap attacks a weakness in the security checks within the internal systems of a cell providers with which support representatives can change the customer accounts without necessarily getting the customer’s explicit permission.
In order to combat this kind of imitation and deception tactics, known as social engineering attacks, three major telephone carriers in the United States at, T-Mobile and Verizon protection functions have introduced it to make it more difficult for malicious hackers to change the account of a customer, such as their telephone number.
Take a minute or two to check the account of your telephone carrier; These functions are often not very well published and may not be switched on as standard.
AT&T
In July, AT&T Introduced are free wireless account -Lock -lock protection function To help prevent Sim -Swaps. With the function, AT&T customers can add extra account protection by switching on a setting with which someone moves a SIM card or telephone number to another device or account. The function can be switched on via the AT&T app or via its online account portal by anyone who manages the account, so make sure that that account is protected with a unique password and multi-factor authentication.
T-Mobile
With T-Mobile, customers can Avoid SIM -Swaps And Block unauthorized number gate outs Free via their T-Mobile Online account. The primary account holder will have to log in to change to the setting, such as switching on or off.
Verizon
Verizon has mentioned two security functions SIM protection and number lockingwho prevent SIM -waps and telephone number transfers respectively. Both functions can be engaged via the Verizon app and via the online account portal by the owner or manager of an account. Verizon says that switching off the position can lead to a 15-minute delay before transactions can be carried out-another security to enable the legitimate account holder to reverse any account changes.
#protect #mobile #phone #number #Sim #Swap #Attacks #Techcrunch