Enable This Feature on Your AT&T Phone to Prevent SIM Swap Attacks
If you’re an AT&T customer, you can enable a new security feature that prevents your phone number from being moved to another device without your knowledge, exposing your data to cybercriminals in the process. The feature, called Wireless Account Lock, is now available to all AT&T users .
SIM swapping (also called SIM jacking) is a form of phone hacking that is particularly dangerous . In this type of attack, attackers reroute your mobile phone number to a different SIM card on a different phone, meaning all your calls, text messages, and two-factor authentication codes are visible to someone else. (This is one of several reasons why you should avoid SMS authentication whenever possible.)
A SIM swap involves convincing your carrier to port your number to a new SIM card, which hackers do by impersonating you using information they’ve gleaned from a phishing attack or data breach. They may even try to trick or bribe someone at the company to perform the swap. As Bleeping Computer notes , SIM swap attacks have become more common in the past few years, affecting customers of carriers like T-Mobile and Google Fi.
How Wireless Account Lock Protects Your Data
Wireless Account Lock prevents certain changes to your AT&T account while the setting is active, meaning no one (not even an AT&T employee) can port your number to a new SIM card. When enabled, Wireless Account Lock prevents the following:
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Updating your device
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Changing SIM card or eSIM
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Initiating a Phone Number Transfer
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Adding a new line
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Change your payment information
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Changing Authorized Users
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Changing phone numbers
If you have a business account, your account administrator can exclude lines or select specific blocking features to turn on or off.
How to Enable AT&T Wireless Account Lock
You can turn on Wireless Account Lock in the myAT&T app under Services > Mobile Security > Wireless Account Lock . Select Continue , choose the account you want to lock or unlock, and swipe to finish. AT&T Prepaid subscribers can select the number they want to lock in the myAT&T app, select Continue , then go to Profile & Settings > Account Info & Preferences > Wireless Account Lock > Turn on or Turn off . You’ll need to confirm the change with an SMS code.
The setting applies to all devices and lines on your AT&T account, including phones, tablets, wearables, hotspots, and laptops.
Note that both T-Mobile and Verizon already offer security features called SIM Protection to prevent SIM swap attacks for both prepaid and postpaid customers. If you have either carrier, you can enable this feature on your line through their respective website or app.