Texts between Android, Apple devices not secure
Officials suggest those with concerns use encryption
By: Mike Snider
USA Today
..... Hackers could be after your text messages. Especially vulnerable: texts between Android and Apple devices.
.....
Three weeks ago, [12/06/2024] the FBI and the Cybersecuity and Infrastructure Security Agency revealed that hackers connected with the People's Republic of China had infiltrated the U.S. telecom infrastructure as part of "a broad and significant cyber espionage campaign."
..... Those targeted were "a limited number of individuals who are primary involved in government or political activity," the agencies said at the time. Stolen were customers call records data and "certain information that was subject to U.S. law enforcement requests pursuant to court orders," the agencies said.
..... However, the hackers are apparently still at work and cybersecurity officials said last week [12/06/2024] they haven't been able to evict them from the network of some telecom and interest firms.
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On top of that, officials with those agencies are making a special point to remind smartphone users that text messages between Android devices and Apple devices are despicably vulnerable, as they are not encrypted.
..... "encryption is your friend, whether it is on text messaging or if you have the capacity to sue encrypted voice communications, even if the adversary is able to intercept the data, if it is encrypted, it will make it impossible, if not really hard., for them to detect it. So our advice is to try to avoid using plain text," Jeff Greene, CISA executive assistant director fry cybersecurity, said during a news briefing held Tuesday. [12/03/2024]
..... Hackers have been able to steal a large amount of records including information on where, when and with when people were communicating, but no audio or actual text message, a senior FBI officials said during the briefing.
..... However, some in the Washington, D.C., areas did have audio and texts captured by the hackers, the official said.
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Hackers still have access to the networks, officials said. And, Green said, "We don't have any illusion that, once we're successful in eviction these actors, that they are not going to come back."
Text messages: What to know about security
..... In addition to seeking help form private companies to assess the reach of the attacks, officials suggested that people concerned about the security of their messages should use encrypted messaging systems - think WhatsApp and Singal.
..... That's because for most people, some of their texting pals have Apple devices and some have Android devices. Message sent between two Apple gadgets are encrypted, as are message sent between suers of Google Messages.
..... But those between Android and Apple devices are not.
..... Federal communications Commission Chair Jessica Roseworcel on Thursday [12/05/2024] proposed agency action to ensure telecommunications companies be required to secure their networks.
..... "As technology continues to advance, so does the capabilities of adversaries, which means the U.S. must adapt and reinforce our defenses," Rosenworcel said in a news release.
Contributing: Reuters