There are many things to worry about in life without adding the stress and horror of discovering that your friends, family, or complete strangers may have received a text message from “K” without your knowledge. How did they do that? How did they send a text from your phone without your knowledge?
What is SMS Spoofing?
SMS spoofing works by manipulating the sender ID of a text message to make it look like it’s sent from a different phone number. This can be done using various online services that allow users to send text messages with a fake sender ID. Cybercriminals alter the sender ID to impersonate friends, family members, or a legitimate company.
Reasons for Sending Fake Text Messages
Here are the top 3 reasons why scammers typically send text messages under a fake sender ID with urgent requests:
1. Trick You into Clicking a Malicious Link
Scammers try to convince you to click on a malicious link that leads you to a harmful website to steal your personal or financial information or even deploy malware or viruses on your phone.
2. Urge You to Pay a Fake Bill
They attempt to lure you into paying a fake bill under the guise of a trusted or familiar company.
3. Damage Your Reputation or Relationships with Friends and Family
They try to damage your reputation or your relationships with friends and family and others by sending harmful messages.
The Impact of SMS Spoofing on Apple Devices
In the past, many Apple devices were considered almost blind to viruses and malware. Unfortunately, due to flaws in the iOS operating system, hackers can exploit someone’s device just like any other device on the market. While Apple regularly patches these vulnerabilities, it also makes iPhone users susceptible to SMS spoofing.
Hackers can utilize “non-interactive” vulnerabilities to send a specially crafted text message, and the iMessage server can send specific data to the user, including images or SMS messages. The user doesn’t even need to open the messages to activate this exploit. Additionally, hackers can send harmful codes via text messages, embedding them into the user’s phone. These vulnerabilities are unique to Apple devices.
Apart from the specific vulnerabilities, hackers typically need user interaction with the text message before unleashing the harmful code on the device.
How to Protect Your Phone from SMS Spoofing
If you suspect that your phone has been compromised or someone is impersonating you, it is essential to take immediate action. Here are some steps you can take:
1. Install Good Antivirus Software on Your Phone
A good antivirus program that actively runs on your devices will alert you to any malware present in your system and warn you against clicking any harmful links that might install malware on your devices, allowing hackers to access your personal information. You can find my review of the best antivirus software here.
2. Regularly Update Your Phone Software
iPhone and Android users should regularly update their phone’s operating system and apps, as Apple and Google release patches for vulnerabilities when discovered. Keeping your phones updated can prevent hackers from exploiting security flaws and sending texts from your phone without your knowledge.
3. Change Your Passwords
Change the passwords for all your online accounts, including email, social media, and banking accounts. Do not use easily guessable information like your birthdate or address. Use strong, unique, and hard-to-guess passwords, preferably consisting of letters, numbers, and special characters if possible. Make sure to do this on another device in case there’s malware on your phone monitoring you. You may also consider using a password manager to create and store complex passwords. It will help you create unique passwords that are hard to crack and unguessable by hackers.
4.
Enabling Two-Factor Authentication
Enabling two-factor authentication on all your online accounts will add an extra layer of security to your accounts and make it harder for hackers to gain access to them.
5. Contact Your Mobile Carrier
Contact your mobile carrier and report the incident. They may be able to assist you in identifying the source of the text message and taking appropriate action.
6. File a Police Report
If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft or fraud, file a report with your local law enforcement agency.
7. Monitor Your Connections
Whenever possible, avoid connecting to unsecured or public Wi-Fi hotspots or Bluetooth connections. Turn off Bluetooth when it is not in use. On most iPhones, you can choose who receives files or photos via AirDrop (a Bluetooth feature) by selecting “Nobody,” contacts only, or everyone. We recommend setting it to “Nobody” and turning it on only when you are with the person you are sending or receiving a file or photo from.
Next Steps for Dealing with Identity Theft from a SMS Spoofing Attack
If you discover that you or a family member has been a victim of identity theft from a SMS spoofing attack, you can take the following steps:
1. Change Your Passwords
If you suspect that your phone has been compromised or that someone is impersonating you, they may be able to access your online accounts and steal your data or money. On another device (such as a laptop or desktop), you should change the passwords for all your important accounts, such as email, banking, and social media, etc. You should do this on another device so that the hacker cannot log you while you are setting a new password on your compromised device. Use strong, unique passwords that are hard to guess. You may also consider using a password manager to create and securely store your passwords.
2. Review Bank Statements and Check Account Activity
Review bank statements and check account activity to see when unusual activities started occurring.
3. Use a Fraud Protection Service
Identity theft companies can monitor personal information such as social security numbers, phone numbers, and email addresses and notify you if they are sold on the dark web or used to open accounts. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent unauthorized use by criminals.
4. Report Any Violations to Official Government Agencies
You should report any violations to official government agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission.
5. Seek Legal Advice
You may want to seek legal advice from an attorney before speaking to law enforcement, especially when dealing with criminal identity theft if it makes you unable to secure employment or housing.
6. Inform All Your Contacts
If hackers have compromised your device via SMS spoofing, they may use it to send spam or fraudulent messages to your contacts. Inform all your contacts and warn them not to open or respond to any messages from you that seem suspicious or unusual.
7. Restore Your Device to Factory Settings
If you want to ensure that your device is completely free of any malware or spyware, you can restore it to factory settings. This will erase all your data and settings and reinstall the original version. You should back up important data before doing this and restore it from a trusted source.
If you are a victim of identity theft, the most important thing is to take immediate action to limit the damage and prevent further harm.
How
Can hackers spoof text messages without having your phone?
A person without physical possession of your phone can potentially spoof text messages to carry out a spoofing attack. Although you may not control who gets your number, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Have you ever received a convincing spoofed text message? What are the signs that it is a fraudulent message? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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