Our mobile phone is more than just a device: it’s the center of our digital lives. We use it to access our social media, online banking, medical services, and work communications.
But have you ever thought about what would happen if someone hijacked your phone number? This is precisely what happens with SIM swapping, a impersonation technique that is on the rise.
Before going into details, it’s worth presenting a solution that can be very useful when it comes to detecting an attack in time. Qondar, our tool, is a platform for individual cyber-surveillance to anticipate digital threats.
Qondar is an early warning system that identifies potential exposure of your personal information online and can help you detect signs of SIM swapping before it’s too late.
What is SIM swapping?
You may have read about it in recent news or heard it called SIM swap or SIM swapping, but what exactly is SIM swapping?It is a digital scam that involves duplicating your SIM card without your consent.
In other words, a cybercriminal can take over your phone line, redirecting your calls, messages, and, most worryingly, the verification codes that many services send via SMS.
The objective is clear: access your accounts using popular two-step verification (2FA) systems. Many banks, social media platforms, and emails use this method to confirm your identity, but if the attacker already has your phone number, they can receive these codes and access your data as if they were you.
SIM swap: how does it work?
The technique is not new, but it has gained popularity in recent years. The modus operandi usually follows this scheme:
- Obtaining personal data.. Through leaks, social engineering, or even social networks, the criminal collects enough information about you (name, ID, address, phone number, etc.).
- Impersonation. With this information, they contact your phone provider, pretending to be you, and request a duplicate SIM card, claiming the device has been lost or damaged.
- Activating the new SIM.. Once the operator validates the request, the new SIM is activated, and your line will no longer be available on your device.
- Account access:. The attacker tries to access your accounts. If you have SMS authentication enabled, he is already on the hook.
In minutes, someone can gain complete control over your personal data, networks, online banking, and more.
How to protect yourself from SIM swapping?
It is normal to wonder how to avoid SIM swapping or what we can do to protect ourselves from this dangerous technique. Here are some recommended measures:
1. Minimize the information exposed on networks
Avoid sharing information such as your phone number, date of birth, or address on social media. Even seemingly harmless information can be used to create a fake profile and impersonate you.
2. Change authentication methods
Whenever possible, avoid SMS authentication. Opt for authentication apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, or physical keys (like YubiKey), independent of your mobile phone line.
3. Activate notifications on your operator
Some carriers allow you to notify them of any line changes, such as SIM card duplication or portability requests. Activate these notifications if available.
4. Use a monitoring tool like Qondar
Qondar, Enthec’s solution for personal users, is the best way to continuously monitor the exposure of your personal data. Whether online, in forums, on the dark web, or elsewhere, Qondar lets you detect leaks and signs that can anticipate a SIM swapping scam attempt.
SIM swapping: How to prevent it with an early warning tool
Attacks don’t always come in visible form. Often, before a SIM swap occurs a personal data leak occurs online. Emails, passwords, phone numbers, or addresses leaked in stolen databases are the cybercriminal’s first step.
Qondar lets you know if your data has appeared in a security breach,if someone is trying to steal your identity, or if your phone number has been compromised. This information is vital so you can take timely measures, such as changing your password, contacting your carrier, or even temporarily blocking certain services.
Thanks to its model-based approach, CTEM (Continuous Threat Exposure Management), Qondar doesn’t just analyze a snapshot of your digital situation, but continuously assesses your risks, adapting to the changing cybersecurity environment.
¿Why is SIM swapping a growing threat?
SIM swapping is not an isolated problem.. According to data from Europol and the National Cryptologic Center, these types of scams are rising in Europe. Attackers are targeting prominent public figures as well as ordinary citizens whose data has been exposed online.
And it’s not just about losing access to an account. The consequences can include:
- Unauthorized bank transfers
- Identity theft used to commit crimes
- Blocking of personal and professional accounts
- Access to medical services or insurance in your name
That’s why it’s so important to have tools that watch over you, automatically and constantly.
What can you do today?
Now that you know what SIM swap is and how easy it is to fall victim to this scam, you can make more informed decisions to protect yourself.
We recommend:
- Review your authentication methods in the most important digital services.
- Avoid using the phone number as the only verification method.
- Try Qondar, our cyber surveillance platform for individuals that helps you keep your data safe through personalized alerts.
SIM swapping is a real, silent, and dangerous threat.. You don’t have to be a celebrity to be targeted: all it takes is for your data to have been leaked, even if it’s on a website you registered with years ago.
Protecting yourself requires a combination of prevention, good digital practices, and tools that work for you.
Qondar by Enthec is precisely that: a digital shield that alerts you when something is wrong, when your data appears where it shouldn’t. Thanks to its continuous monitoring capacity and threat exposure management, it becomes a key ally in preventing SIM swapping before it happens.
Want to check if your information has already been exposed?
Get access to Qondar and take the first step to protecting your digital identity. Visit Enthec and protect your data before it’s too late.