What is SIM Swap Attack?

 

In recent months, called a SIM swap, the attack has been at the center of many financially motivated online crime cases,
including the theft of digital currencies.

So, what is a SIM swap attack?
In short, a SIM swap attack is a thief tricking someone working with your mobile operator to transfer your phone number to a SIM card they own.

To conduct a SIM swap attack, attackers need to know some basic information about their target. The phone number ,home address or ID number and etc...

Unlike other cyberattacks like phishing, SIM swappers can carry out their attack without directly involving the target. This means the victims realize they’ve been the target of a SIM swap attack only when their phone suddenly loses its connection to the carrier.

 

In recent months, the Twitter account of Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s chief executive, was hijacked in a hack known as a SIM swap.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/05/technology/sim-swap-jack-dorsey-hack.html

 

 

How Can We Be Protected?

 

 

 

 

**The first thing you should do is set a PIN or password for your SIM card. Setting a password for your SIM card makes it harder to compromise your identity. Hackers can usually obtain information such as your home address from public sources. A password can be harder to obtain.

**You must also make sure your online accounts are safe in case your SIM card does become compromised. You should definitely use google authentic.

**Beware of phishing scams.The first step in an SIM swap attack is usually phishing.

**Separate Your Phone Number From Your Accounts. If you need a phone number associated with your account, use Google Voice.