By Leada Gore
The FBI and U.S. cyber security experts are warning Americans about security risks from sending texts using iPhone and Android phones.
Amid what’s being described as an “unprecedented cyberattack” from a Chinese-backed hacking campaign dubbed Salt Typhoon, officials said people should use encrypted messaging apps to ensure communications stay hidden from foreign hackers. According to NBC, China hacked AT&T, Verizon and Lumen Technologies to spy on customers and the issue has not been completely solved.
“People looking to further protect their mobile device communications would benefit from considering using a cellphone that automatically receives timely operating system updates, responsibly managed encryption and phishing resistant” multi-factor authentication for email, social media and collaboration tool accounts,” an unnamed FBI official told NBC News.
Hackers had targeted three types of data, call records, or metadata, showing numbers the phones called and when; live phone calls from specific targets; and information related to systems used by telecommunication companies and law enforcement agencies.
The best way to prevent this is to use encryption services like Signal and WhatsApp but issues can arise when Google and iMessage users text others who use different texting applications and aren’t encrypted end-to-end. NBC reported phone calls via Google and Apple only offer encryption if the calls are made through internet-connected calling apps Google Fi and FaceTime.
