AT&T is launching a brand new Account Lock characteristic that’s designed to guard wi-fi customers towards SIM swapping assaults. The feature, which you’ll be able to allow from the myAT&T app, prevents unauthorized modifications to your account, like cellphone quantity transfers, SIM card modifications, and updates to billing data.
SIM swapping assaults have grow to be increasingly common in recent times. They happen when a foul actor will get ahold of a sufferer’s cellphone quantity, generally with social engineering methods equivalent to impersonating a sufferer and asking their provider for a SIM change, after which intercepting messages and cellphone calls meant for the sufferer. This will let an attacker obtain two-factor authentication codes that they will use to interrupt into delicate accounts.
Different carriers, together with T-Mobile, Verizon, and Google Fi, have already got related options to forestall towards the sort of fraud. AT&T started progressively rolling out Account Lock earlier this yr.
As noted by AT&T, its new Account Lock characteristic additionally blocks gadget upgrades, together with modifications to approved customers and cellphone numbers.
You’ll be able to flip Account Lock on or off at any time by opening the myAT&T app, choosing Providers > Cell Safety > Wi-fi Account Lock, and choosing which accounts you wish to lock or unlock. AT&T will then ship the first account holder an e mail notifying them of the change, whereas each energetic quantity on the account will obtain a textual content. Solely customers with main and secondary entry to an AT&T account can use Account Lock.