The FBI has issued a dire warning for both iPhone and Android users to cease sending text messages due to rising risks of cyber-attacks. The alert comes amidst escalating tensions surrounding the recent discovery of a widespread telecom hacking campaign attributed to a Chinese state-sponsored hacker group identified as ‘Salt Typhoon.’ Officials are advocating for the adoption of encrypted messaging applications such as Signal and WhatsApp to ensure data security. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized the urgency of this precaution, stating, ‘We must be proactive in protecting our communications.’ The cyber warning coincides with a classified briefing presented to U.S. Senators regarding the Salt Typhoon hack, which aims to compromise telecommunications and internet infrastructure. Authorities noted an uptick in cybercrime, underscoring the growing necessity for citizens to leverage secure communication methods. U.S. officials are liaisons with international partners to bolster defenses against these sophisticated threat actors, revealing that Salt Typhoon has been active in infiltrating networks across multiple sectors. In light of these developments, experts urge the public to immediately switch to encrypted chat platforms to safeguard their sensitive information.
FBI Warns of Text Message Vulnerabilities Amid Increased Cyber Threats
