Cybercriminals Have a Weird New Way to Target You with Scam Texts
15 hours ago
- #phishing
- #SMS-scams
- #cybersecurity
- Cybercriminals are using 'SMS blasters'—fake cell phone towers—to send scam texts directly to nearby phones.
- SMS blasters impersonate cell towers, forcing phones into insecure 2G connections to send phishing messages.
- Originally detected in Southeast Asia, SMS blasters are now spreading to Europe and South America.
- These devices can send thousands of scam texts per hour within a 1,000-meter radius.
- SMS blasters bypass traditional mobile network security measures, making scam messages harder to detect.
- Law enforcement has seized devices in multiple countries, with arrests reported in London and Asia.
- Telecom companies and governments are working to combat SMS blasters, but challenges remain.
- Android users can disable 2G connections in settings to reduce vulnerability to SMS blasters.
- Scammers continue to evolve tactics, raising concerns about a potential 'cat and mouse' game with authorities.