AT&T is launching a brand new Account Lock function that’s designed to guard wi-fi customers in opposition to SIM swapping assaults. The feature, which you’ll allow from the myAT&T app, prevents unauthorized adjustments to your account, like cellphone quantity transfers, SIM card adjustments, and updates to billing data.
SIM swapping assaults have develop into more and more frequent lately. They happen when a foul actor will get ahold of a sufferer’s cellphone quantity, typically with social engineering methods akin to impersonating a sufferer and asking their service 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’ll use to interrupt into delicate accounts.
Different carriers, together with T-Mobile, Verizon, and Google Fi, have already got comparable options to stop in opposition to such a fraud. AT&T started steadily rolling out Account Lock earlier this 12 months.
As noted by AT&T, its new Account Lock function additionally blocks machine upgrades, together with adjustments to licensed customers and cellphone numbers.
You possibly can flip Account Lock on or off at any time by opening the myAT&T app, deciding on Providers > Cell Safety > Wi-fi Account Lock, and deciding on which accounts you need 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 major and secondary entry to an AT&T account can use Account Lock.