FBI says don't text. Use WhatsApp

Post by **Ojisama** » 12 Dec 2024, 23:52

An issue that is concerning mainly our US and Canadian members, but could impact us here in the UK as well.

The issue seems to involve texts sent between the Android and IPhone platforms. Amid ongoing FBI investigations into a massive cyberespionage campaign, experts are urging Canadian iPhone and Android users to hit pause on texting between these platforms.

A Chinese hacker group known as "Salt Typhoon" has successfully penetrated at least 8 US telecom companies, like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies.

These attacks have exposed major security flaws in U.S. communication networks, which are vulnerable to interception since end-to-end encryption isn't standard. That's why companies like Apple and Google recommend using encryption, making messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram more popular than ever.

Post by **lolin** » 13 Dec 2024, 04:16

good luck convincing aging americans to switch to whatsapp, my mother hardly knows how to use her phone unfortunately

Post by **Beerkeg** » 13 Dec 2024, 07:47

SMS texting has been a vulnerability for about a decade. I think I saw the first examples around 2013 of people doing redirect attacks to bypass SMS 2FA. So yeah, kinda been a global problem for a while. Basically don't use SMS for 2FA and you're good. Your personal text aren't important enough for anyone to care about.... unless it's something that someone can blackmail you with...

Rich-Allen1976 · Post by **Rich-Allen1976** » 13 Dec 2024, 10:55

I'm sure I read somewhere that WhatsApp itself was allegedly going to be banned.

Which would be totally unenforceable IMO.

I use it to keep in touch with work and Taekwondo colleagues, and my Brother, never anything malicious.

More to the point, the FBI has NO jurisdiction outside the US.