In today’s digital age, our smartphones are gateways to personal and financial information, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. One insidious attack is the SIM Swap, where hackers trick your carrier into transferring your number to a SIM they control.
A SIM Swap attack, also known as SIM hijacking, occurs when a cybercriminal tricks your mobile carrier into transferring your phone number to a SIM card they control. Once they have control of your phone number, they can intercept calls and text messages, including those used for multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Here’s how this cyberattack works:
- Information Gathering: Hackers collect personal information about you.
- Carrier Contact: They pose as you, convincing your carrier to transfer your number.
- Account Access: With your number, they can intercept MFA codes and access your online accounts.
Proactively Defend Your Accounts
Now that you understand what these bad actors want and how they execute these attacks, you can start to proactively defend your accounts!
- Use unique, complex passwords for each account.
- Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) and prioritize app-based or biometric authentication over one-time passcodes.
- Set up a PIN or password with your carrier to prevent unauthorized changes.
- Regularly check your accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity.
- Have a plan in place to react quickly if you suspect a SIM Swap attack.
By staying informed and taking proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a SIM Swap attack.