How Hackers Break Into Your Cell Phone Starting With a Simple Tactic: Silent SMS

Hackers have a trickbag of ways to get into your phone. No matter how many apps you download to keep it safe. Here is how hackers gain the basics to begin: Silent SMS.

Silent SMS can be used as the precursor of a more elaborate social engineering attack:

Here is how it works.

Silent SMS Delivery: The hacker sends a silent SMS to grab your attention or create a sense of urgency.

Phishing Link: The silent SMS might be followed up with a separate text message (that might appear legitimate) containing a malicious link. Clicking this link could take you to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials or download malware disguised as a legitimate app.

Tricking You into Downloading Malware: The text message might urge you to download an app or update an existing one from a third-party source (not the official app store). These downloaded apps could contain malware that exploits vulnerabilities on your phone.

Here are some ways to protect yourself from such attacks:

Never Click on Links from Unknown Numbers: Be cautious about clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown senders, even if they arrive after a silent SMS.

Verify Information: If a message claims to be from a legitimate source (bank, service provider etc.), contact the company directly through their official channels to confirm its authenticity.

Only Download Apps from Official Stores: Download apps only from official app stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store. These stores have security measures in place to weed out malicious apps.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) on your important accounts. This adds an extra layer of security, requiring a verification code in addition to your password when logging in from a new device.

By staying vigilant and following safe practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a phone hack, even if you receive a silent SMS.

Learn more about silent SMS here.