What Can Someone Do With Your SIM Card?

Your SIM acts as a tiny supercomputer that contains important personal information. So, even the slightest data leak can have devastating consequences. Unfortunately, these leaks are more likely now than ever, making it essential to secure your mobile phones. 

One of the most prominent phone hacking techniques is SIM hijacking. It happens when a cyber attacker gets ahold of your SIM card by cracking ineffective cybersecurity measures. Once the attacker is in your system, they can take several actions. Let's find out what they are.  

Why Would Someone Hack a SIM Card? 

Phone numbers typically come with two-factor or multi-factor authentication. These security procedures require authentication codes typically sent via SMS or email. If hackers impersonate you to receive these authentication codes, they can access the following:

• Private information 
• Email accounts 
• Bank accounts 
• Social media accounts 
• Send and monitor phone calls or text messages.

Once hackers have access to your private information, they can ask for a ransom, blackmail you using your data, leak it online, destroy it, or ask you to give them further access. 

How Attackers Hack SIM Cards and Access Your Data?

Hackers can access your private information through several techniques. So, securing your private information using robust antivirus software and keeping an eye out for any unusual activity is essential. 

Let's look at some ways hackers can access the information on your SIM: 

SIM Cloning 

SIM cloning is not widespread, but it involves duplicating a user's data once the hacker gets access to a SIM card. Once the cloned SIM card is inserted into another device, it will automatically negate the old SIM, rendering it useless. 

SIM card writers are not illegal and can be easily found online. If hackers cannot connect with your cellular company for verification, they employ social engineering attacks like malware to prompt you to give them your SIM card. 

Hackers may also impersonate a tech support representative or use fake stories to prompt you into sending your phone for repair. 

SIM Swapping 

SIM swapping is a growing cyber epidemic and is the cause of growing cyber-attacks on SIM cards. Hackers use social engineering tactics to access your SIM card information from SIM providers. 

For instance, they contact phone companies and act as the owners of SIM cards. They pretend to have lost their SIM card or upgraded their device and ask for a SIM card replacement. As a result, your phone company deactivates your old SIM card and sends in a new one. 

When the hacker receives the new SIM card, they intercept phone calls and messages and pass through any authentication methods. The original SIM card holder will not be able to send or receive calls/text messages. 

You can avoid this from happening by using authentication methods like face ID, fingerprint, or a PIN to verify your ID. 

SIMjacker 

SIMjacker is a relatively new security vulnerability. This technique sends several SIM Application Toolkit (STK) commands to SIM owners. Once the receiver clicks on the SIM messages, the hackers transfer spyware codes into their phone to track texts, calls, and live locations.  

The Takeaway

As technology is advancing, so are ways to hack it. So, ensuring data security should be on top of your list if you're a smartphone user. But installing an antivirus program won't cut it. 

You have to learn how hackers can get into your phone to keep them out forever. SIMjacking, SIM swapping, and cloning are only some of the ways they could use.

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