Secure Your Phone Now: New US Govt Rules Aim to Stop SIM-Swapping Attacks

SIM swapping attacks have become a serious concern not only in India but across the world. And everyone understands that these attacks must be prevented, making it difficult for the victim to be alerted when their own phone number is being copied and used without their knowledge or consent.

Fortunately, work has already begun in this regard, and the US government is heavily involved in its plan to prevent these attacks. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released new rules that can help people avoid SIM swapping scams and secure their numbers with additional authentication.

The biggest problem with SIM swaps is that a hacker can access confidential details like OTPs, making two-factor authentication completely moot. What are the FCC’s new rules aimed at preventing the threat of these attacks?

According to reports, the federal body wants cell phone carriers to alert customers when they receive a SIM charge or transfer request. Now the problem is that the alerts are likely to be made through a primary number that the attacker may already be using.

“We require wireless carriers to give subscribers more control over their accounts and always notify consumers of a SIM port request to protect against fraudulent requests from bad actors,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is quoted in the release. opinion.

Under these terms, it is likely that operators will be able to use any secondary phone number to notify customers of changes and we hope that this will be the new policy.

It sounds like a smart idea to prevent SIM swapping, and if it succeeds in reducing attacks, telecom authorities in other countries should also make such rules and oblige telcos to implement a more robust mechanism used to issue duplicates. A SIM card or even a port to another operator. After all, many people in India have lost crores this year thanks to SIM swap attacks.