Security researcher brutecat discovered a vulnerability that allowed brute-forcing the phone number linked to any Google account using display names and partial number hints. Google has patched the flaw. #Cybersecurity #Google #Infosec #DataPrivacy #SIMswap #BugBounty #SecurityNews
#simswap
M&S cyber-attack: how to protect yourself from sim-swap fraud
#Tech #CyberSecurity #SIMSwap #DataProtection #2FA #Smartphones #SIMCards #MSCyberAttack #IdentityTheft #OnlineSafety #Authentication #FraudPrevention #TechSecurity #CyberAttack
https://the-14.com/ms-cyber-attack-how-to-protect-yourself-from-sim-swap-fraud/
SK Telecom confirmed its data breach disclosed in April began in June 2022, exposing USIM data—including IMSI and authentication keys—of 27 million subscribers. The malware compromised 23 servers and raised SIM-swapping risks. #SKTelecom #DataBreach #Cybersecurity #SIMSwap #InfoSec
✨ Golpe do SIM Swap: Justiça em Ação!
📝 Um ex-funcionário da SEC foi condenado por seu envolvimento em um ataque de SIM swap, revelando os perigos que ameaçam a segurança cibernética. Descubra como esse crime afeta suas informações pessoais e quais medidas você pode tomar para se proteger. Não fique no escuro sobre segurança digital! Clique para saber mais!
.
.
.#SegurançaCibernética #SIMSwap #Ju...
https://inkdesign.com.br/homem-do-sec-e-sentenciado-por-ataque-de-sim-swap/?fsp_sid=32091
End-to-end encryption doesn’t mean end-to-end protection.
Yes, WhatsApp encrypts your messages. But hackers don’t need to break the encryption.
They just need to break you.
That’s how most attacks happen.
Not with code — with clever manipulation.
A fake support message.
A phishing link.
A friend’s hijacked account asking for a code.
And the real damage comes after:
- Access to your chats
- Identity theft via your photo, name, and contacts
- Password resets and account takeovers (thanks to 2FA tied to your number)
- SIM swap attacks that bypass your entire digital perimeter
What makes it worse?
Most users never touch their privacy settings.
They leave “Last Seen,” profile photo, and group invites open to everyone.
They don’t enable 2FA.
They don’t encrypt backups.
They don’t lock the app or check for spyware.
And then they’re shocked when everything unravels in hours.
WhatsApp gives you the tools — but they don’t turn them on for you.
Here are 8 settings you should activate today:
1. 2FA PIN
2. Profile visibility: Contacts only
3. Group invite restrictions
4. Security code change alerts
5. Biometric app lock
6. Disappearing messages
7. Encrypted backups
8. App updates to patch spyware exploits
Cybercriminals don’t break into accounts.
They walk right through the front door — because it’s usually wide open.
Your security is only as strong as the habits behind it.
When encrypted government communications get hacked… what chance do the rest of us have?
TeleMessage — a Signal-based app used by U.S. officials — has just been breached.
The attacker didn’t just grab some harmless metadata. They accessed contact lists, backend credentials, and entire conversations across modified versions of Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, and even WeChat.
This wasn’t a rogue app.
This was the messaging tool used inside the White House.
Used by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Used to discuss military operations.
And now it’s suspended — too late.
Here’s the real problem:
Even apps built “for privacy” can be fatally compromised when they store data insecurely, create archiving loopholes, or leave cryptographic back doors open for enterprise compliance.
And once that data is exposed?
- It gets matched with phone numbers
- It reveals high-value targets
- It paves the way for SIM swapping and full digital impersonation
This is how it starts — with a breach of trust.
Then comes the breach of your phone, your accounts, your identity.
We often think of mobile security as a software problem.
But the real threat lies deeper — in the number that ties everything together.
The lesson here is simple:
If world leaders can be exposed, so can you.
If their privacy is fragile, what about yours?
At @Efani, we believe your mobile number shouldn’t be your weakest link.
She lost access to her bank, her crypto wallet, and her identity — all because of one overlooked setting in WhatsApp.
It started with a simple message:
“Hey, can you send me the code you just received? I sent it to your number by mistake.”
It looked like it came from a friend.
She sent the code.
Moments later, her WhatsApp was hijacked.
But that was just the beginning.
- The attackers used her chats to impersonate her
- Requested money from her contacts
- Took over linked accounts with 2FA tied to WhatsApp
- Even escalated the attack with a SIM swap
All of this — preventable.
Most people assume WhatsApp is “secure enough” because of end-to-end encryption.
But the truth is: your own settings can be your biggest vulnerability.
If you haven’t turned on these 8 protections, you’re not secure:
* 2FA with a custom PIN
* Privacy limits on who can see your photo, status, and online activity
* Group restrictions to prevent mass-add scams
* Encryption alerts for contact changes
* Biometric lock for the app
* Disappearing messages for sensitive chats
* Encrypted cloud backups
* Regular updates to patch spyware exploits
This isn’t just advice. It’s damage control — before the damage hits.
Your WhatsApp isn’t just a chat app anymore.
It’s your digital fingerprint.
Don’t wait for a hacker to remind you of that.
They weren’t saving for themselves.
They were saving for their mom.
Justin Chan and his sister shared a bank account — it was used to pay for their elderly mother’s care.
One night, while they were asleep, a stranger stole their phone number.
Not their phone.
Not their passwords.
Just their number.
With that, the attacker intercepted their 2FA codes, broke into their Bank of America account, and executed three wire transfers totaling $38,000.
- $20,000 went to a known felon’s account
- $18,000 was funneled through Robinhood and cashed out
All in under three hours.
The bank didn’t respond at first. Robinhood denied responsibility.
It wasn’t until media pressure mounted that the money was finally returned.
But imagine the stress, the helplessness — when the money meant to care for someone you love vanishes.
That’s the hidden cost of SIM-swapping.
It’s not just financial. It’s emotional. It’s destabilizing.
And most people don’t see it coming until it’s too late.
This entire situation could’ve been avoided with better safeguards at the carrier level — or stronger default protections from mobile providers.
At @Efani, we exist because this story keeps repeating.
Because no one should lose their peace of mind — or their parent’s care funds — to something as preventable as a SIM-swap attack.
Secure your number like your future depends on it.
Because sometimes, it does.
SMS 2FA isn’t security — it’s an illusion.
WWE star AJ Styles had two-factor authentication enabled.
It didn’t matter.
His X account was hijacked through a SIM swap — a common but devastating attack where hackers convince a mobile carrier to transfer your number to their SIM.
From there, they intercepted his 2FA codes and took control of his entire digital presence.
Racist tweets.
Crypto scam links.
Brand damage in real-time.
AJ later said:
“They stole my SIM card. Somebody at AT&T allowed it to happen.”
Let that sink in.
He did everything right — or so he thought.
But SMS-based 2FA didn’t protect him. It opened the door.
This isn’t rare.
It’s not bad luck.
It’s a broken system.
Here’s the hard truth:
- SMS 2FA can be socially engineered
- It depends on your mobile carrier’s weakest employee
- And once your number is stolen, every linked account is at risk
If you’re still using SMS for 2FA on high-value accounts — crypto, email, social, banking — you’re playing defense with a paper shield.
Here’s what to do instead:
- Use an app-based authenticator (like Authy or Google Authenticator)
- Better yet, use a physical security key (like YubiKey)
- Assume your number will be targeted — and plan accordingly
Because in 2025, SMS 2FA isn’t protection.
It’s a liability in disguise.
He lost $38,000 in one night.
A simple PIN could’ve stopped it.
Justin Chan was a regular user — not a celebrity, not a billionaire, not someone with enemies.
But that didn’t matter.
A fraudster called his mobile carrier, pretended to be him, and transferred his phone number to a new device.
Once they had his number, they got his 2FA codes.
Then came the real damage — wire transfers, account breaches, and $38,000 drained across multiple platforms.
The entire attack took just 3 hours.
The recovery? It took months — and media intervention.
Here’s the kicker: Justin added a PIN to his cellular account only after the incident.
Had that been in place earlier, the attacker wouldn’t have been able to hijack his number so easily.
That’s the reality most people don’t realize:
Your phone number is a master key — and it’s often protected by nothing more than a customer rep and a few easy-to-guess personal details.
At @Efani, every SIM is PIN-locked by default. Because it only takes one call to lose everything — but just one setting to stop it.
The solution isn’t complicated.
But ignoring it can be costly.
One AT&T rep, one mistake - AJ Styles’ digital life was hijacked.
That’s all it took.
The WWE superstar had his X account compromised.
Hackers posted racial slurs.
They pushed crypto scam links.
They impersonated him in front of millions.
How?
A SIM swap.
Someone convinced an AT&T employee to transfer AJ Styles’ phone number to a new SIM.
With that, they bypassed two-factor authentication, took control of his social media, and went rogue.
In a video, AJ confirmed it:
“They stole my SIM card. Somebody allowed that at AT&T.”
Let’s be clear - this wasn’t just a hack.
It was a breach of trust inside a mobile carrier.
This is why cybersecurity professionals are pushing for zero-trust models.
Because when one employee’s error can open the gates to your entire identity - your number, your bank, your crypto, your social profiles - it’s no longer just about strong passwords. It’s about broken systems.
Here’s what you need to rethink today:
- Your phone number should not be your security key
- SMS-based 2FA is a vulnerability, not a safeguard
- Mobile carriers are not built for cybersecurity - and that’s the real danger
When your number is your identity, the weakest link is whoever answers the phone at the carrier store.
And if they can compromise AJ Styles, they can compromise anyone.
If they can do this to a WWE star, what’s stopping them from doing it to you?
WWE legend AJ Styles just became the latest high-profile victim of a SIM swap attack.
His X account was hacked.
Racist posts appeared.
Crypto scams followed.
And fans were left in shock.
The cause?
Someone at AT&T handed over his phone number to a hacker. That’s it.
One mistake - and his entire digital identity was hijacked.
Styles later shared a video, saying:
“They stole my SIM card. Somebody allowed that at AT&T. Some idiot, some moron… was able to hack Twitter.”
This isn’t just about a celebrity getting hacked.
It’s about the terrifying reality that your phone number - the same one tied to your 2FA codes, banking, email, crypto, and social profiles - can be stolen with a single call.
SIM swap attacks aren’t rare anymore.
They’re exploding. And SMS-based 2FA is no longer enough to keep you safe.
Here’s what you should do now:
- Stop using SMS for two-factor authentication
- Use app-based authenticators or hardware keys
- Treat your mobile carrier as a security risk — not a safety net
At @Efani, we’ve seen this play out far too often.
Fame doesn’t protect you. Neither does wealth.
Only security does.
He didn’t lose his money to a hacker.
He lost it because he trusted his mobile carrier.
Justin Chan woke up to a nightmare: $38,000 gone from his bank and trading accounts.
No malware. No phishing link. No system breach.
Just a single phone call — made by someone pretending to be him.
They convinced his mobile provider, Xfinity Mobile, to transfer his number to a new SIM.
Within minutes, they intercepted his two-factor authentication codes and took over his digital life.
The attacker didn’t need passwords.
They didn’t need access to his devices.
All they needed was a vulnerable carrier and a bit of social engineering.
This is the harsh reality:
Your mobile number is the weak link in your entire security chain.
And most carriers treat it like it’s just another billing detail.
Here’s the bigger problem:
- Most users don’t even know SIM-swapping is a threat
- Carriers still approve number ports with basic info anyone can find online
- Once your number is hijacked, everything else falls like dominoes
Justin had to fight for months to get his money back. Most people don’t win that battle.
He’s now left Xfinity, added PIN protection, and moved on from his bank.
Because once your trust is broken — it’s hard to rebuild.
At @Efani, we believe your mobile carrier should be your first line of defense, not your weakest link.
Your number holds the keys to your accounts.
Treat it like the asset it is.
3 hours.
That’s all it took for a fraudster to bypass 2FA and drain $38,000 from Justin Chan’s bank account.
The method? SIM swapping — a type of cyberattack where your phone number is hijacked and used to intercept one-time passwords.
Justin didn’t click a malicious link.
He didn’t fall for a phishing scam.
He simply trusted that his SMS-based 2FA would keep him safe.
It didn’t.
* The attacker called his mobile carrier and transferred his number.
* They used that number to receive 2FA codes.
* They accessed his bank and investment accounts.
* $38,000 gone before sunrise.
Most users still think “I’ve set up 2FA, so I’m safe.” But if that 2FA is tied to your phone number, it’s an open door for modern hackers.
Justin eventually got his money back — after months of stress and media pressure. But many victims don’t.
Let this be a reminder:
- Use app-based or hardware 2FA wherever possible.
- Audit your basic mobile privacy options.
- Rethink how much control your number gives others.
And if your mobile carrier doesn’t offer strong protections by default… maybe it’s time to switch.
SK Telecom is offering free SIM card replacements to 25M users after a major USIM data breach, but only 6M cards are available through May. Customers urged to enroll in USIM Protection for added security. #SKTelecom #DataBreach #Cybersecurity #SIMSwap #MobileSecurity #TechNews
SK Telecom, South Korea’s largest carrier, confirms hackers accessed USIM-related customer data—raising risks of SIM swap attacks and targeted surveillance. No misuse reported yet; authorities urge users to enable USIM protection. #Cybersecurity #SIMSwap #SKTelecom #DataBreach
How To Check SIM Card Issued on Aadhaar Card | SIM Card Port & Swapping Fraud | Cyber Fraud
Out of the Box के इस Episode में आप जानेंगे आपके Aadhaar Card पर चल रहे Mobile Numbers (SIM Cards) को Check करने की Trick. इसके अलावा SIM Swap, SIM Port Fraud कैसे होता है और आप इससे कैसे बच सकते हैं, इस पर भी बात करेंगे. #AadhaarCard #SIMCardFraud #CyberSecurity #SIMSwap #SIMPortFraud #OutOfTheBox #ZeeSwitch #MobileFraudAlert #CyberFraudPrevention #DigitalSafety…
SIM swap attacks are one of the easiest ways hackers steal your accounts—all they need is your number.
✅ How to protect yourself:
✔ Port your number to a VoIP provider (MySudo, JMP.chat)
✔ Use app-based 2FA (NO SMS 2FA!)
✔ Ask your carrier for a port-out PIN
📌 Keep your number private. Keep your accounts safe.
📵 Your phone number is your weakest link.
Hackers use SIM swap attacks to steal your number, reset your accounts, and bypass 2FA. It happens more than you think.
💡 Protect yourself:
✔ Remove your number from important accounts (email, banking)
✔ Use app-based 2FA (Aegis, YubiKey, OTP)—NEVER SMS
✔ Ask your carrier for a port-out PIN
📌 Your phone number shouldn’t be your identity.
Client Info
Server: https://mastodon.social
Version: 2025.04
Repository: https://github.com/cyevgeniy/lmst