Disable this option on your mobile phone if you do not want to be a victim of this dangerous attack
During the holiday season, especially in the summer, cybercriminals intensify their efforts to deceive users. In addition to more common methods such as phishing, SMS fraud, and identity theft, there are also lesser-known methods carried out using devices called "Stingrays."
According to a report issued by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), Stingray devices are mobile devices that are easy to obtain over the Internet and require no technical difficulties to operate.
This device refers to fake base stations capable of connecting mobile phones to older, previously unprotected 2G networks. This means that phones are entering a world rife with extremely serious security vulnerabilities.
Cybercriminals use these networks, using stingray technology, to force victims' phones to call them and send fraudulent text messages. These messages appear to come from legitimate sources and are undetectable by telecom companies or anti-spam software.
To prevent this from happening, it's recommended to disable 2G connectivity on your Android device. If you have a phone running an operating system newer than Android 12, you can do this by following the steps below. Disabling it won't remove any other features, but it will protect you from the attack mentioned above.
- Go to your phone's settings and find the "Networks & Internet" section.
- Next, look for the “SIM Card” option.
- There you will find the option “Allow 2G Network”, which should be disabled.