Sim swap and poor web security are significant risks for millions of users who don’t know about that. Some security resources suggest that it is not difficult to hack websites and apps due to increasing technological innovations.
Whenever you try to log on to online services, two main factors are involved in authentication to sending the text message confirmation codes to your SIM. Here is a fact: it is not difficult for a person to give access to your online accounts if anyone can compromise your phone. It creates a risk that you can access your accounts through the SIM Card. We will discuss sim swapping protection.
What is SIM Swapping?
In sim wrapping, the hackers get your phone number and associate it with various SIM cards. If a hacker succeeds, it will deactivate your phone and take all your phone data, such as texts, numbers, and other data. A hacker can get easy access to all your online activities and bank accounts, and the hacker can get complete access and change the credentials. Sim card hackers can lock you from all your accounts in such a situation.
A stolen mobile can be used against a defeating in ways. It allows the attacker to impersonate and deny cellular services to the victim, says Lee.
To know more, the team examined 140 websites for their vulnerability to SIM Jacking. This team found 17 big websites that were badly insecure, and they sent their name for safety. It also means that it didn’t even require a user to type their password to access accounts, apart from needing a phone number.
How to Improve the Security
The team shared its report with the involved networks: US mobiles, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Tracfone. They offered ten recommendations to improve the security of preventing customer support representatives from accessing data before the customer authenticates their ownership of the account. Only one firm, T-Mobile, cooperates with the team, saying it would review how it establishes customers.
Researchers discuss these issues with companies separately, and US Mobile said that 1 per cent of its SIM swap request is made over the phone, and it is difficult to fall victim to such risk. T-Mobile agreed to change its authentication process.
AT&T and Verizon asked the researcher to CITA, the US trade association representing the wireless communication industry. They are ready to fight against fraud, and our consumers will use the tools highlighted in this study to keep their data, as Tracfone didn’t respond.
Victoria Baines at the University of Oxford’s Oxford Internet Institute admits the methods, paper findings, and team suggestions. Still, she suggests that new scientists present information about the most vulnerable sites. ” These are the services we should all know the identities of, ” she says.
Lee says that most redacted websites and doubly insecure configurations contain more than millions and billions of users, so it is not favourable to show their names.
He also said that.
If users were thinking about turning off 2FA, the authors suggest thinking again, ” At the day’s end, it is still better than nothing. Lee says.
Here Are Some Tips and Tricks to Prevent SIM Swapping
Don’t use a single password and double authentication:
Use voice recognition, facial recognition, google authentication, and additional PIN. Please don’t share your detailed information on the internet, as it makes it easy for hackers to access your information.
Don’t save all information on the mobile: A Mobile is an electronic device and not completely secure. So try to avoid it. It is not safe.
Strengthen the mobile security system: when it comes to operating the mobile at your end.
Use messaging applications for messages: The What’s App, Telegram Line, and such apps are safer than SMS.
Never share your PIN code with anyone.
Avoid linking the bank accounts to the account or phone.
Install an antivirus or security solution to prevent sim card protection from accessing personal information.