The Dangers of SIM Swapping: What You Need to Know
SIM swapping, or SIM hijacking, is a cybercrime tactic where attackers exploit vulnerabilities in mobile carrier processes to seize control of a victim's phone number. With this control, they intercept calls, text messages, and two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive accounts and personal information. As eSIM technology becomes more prevalent, the risks have escalated, making proactive security measures essential. How SIM Swapping Works Information Gathering Attackers collect personal details through phishing, social engineering, or dark web data purchases. Publicly shared information, like that found on social media or forums, can also be exploited. Carrier Manipulation Using the stolen data, attackers impersonate the victim and convince the mobile carrier to transfer the victim's number to a new SIM card or eSIM. Exploitation Once the transfer is complete, attackers intercept 2FA codes, enabling unauthorized access to banking, email, and social media accounts. What Makes eSIMs a Target? Unlike traditional…