New warning for iPhone and Android: Don’t text

New investigations in the US have highlighted that standard SMS apps can be dangerous.The FBI and CISA recommend using encrypted alternatives such as Signal or WhatsApp.

China’s Salt Typhoon hijacks SMS systems

A large-scale cyber attack targeting major telecommunications companies has mobilized US cybersecurity authorities. Directing users to encrypted messaging platforms, the FBI and CISA drew attention to the China-backed Salt Typhoon attack system.

Salt Typhoon was allegedly developed to steal and spy on sensitive data. US officials believe that China is behind this campaign to infiltrate global telecom networks and obtain large amounts of information. Mark Warner, Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, said China wants to compromise telecom systems around the world.

Artificial intelligence messed up this time!
Artificial intelligence messed up this time!
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To reduce the risks, authorities advise users not to use the standard SMS messaging service. They should replace it with encrypted alternatives such as Signal or WhatsApp. This advice also applies to communication between both Android and iPhone devices.

Jeff Greene, CISA’s Deputy Executive Director for Cybersecurity, emphasized the importance of encryption for both text and voice communications. Encrypted data, even if intercepted, remains inaccessible to Chinese hackers, he said.

According to officials, hackers have already successfully intercepted a significant amount of data and intercepted phone calls. There is also no clear timeline for when malicious actors can be removed from compromised networks.