How can you detect if your SMS messages have been intercepted?

1 What is SMS interception?

SMS interception is the act of capturing, reading, or modifying the text messages that you send or receive on your mobile phone. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as installing spyware or malware on your device, utilising a fake cell tower or IMSI catcher to intercept messages, exploiting the vulnerabilities of the SS7 protocol, and even obtaining a court order or warrant from your mobile service provider. These methods can be used to access your messages and send them to a remote server, allowing for potential interception of sensitive data.

2 Why is SMS interception a threat?

SMS interception can pose a serious threat to your personal and professional life, as it can expose your sensitive information, such as passwords, PINs, verification codes, private conversations, photos, videos, financial transactions, bank details, credit card numbers, location, movements, or activities. All of these can be inferred from your messages or metadata which further highlights the importance of taking measures to protect yourself from this type of attack.

3 How can you detect SMS interception?

Although there is no guaranteed way to detect SMS interception, there are certain signs that could indicate your messages may have been intercepted. These include messages taking longer than usual to send or receive, or failing to deliver at all; messages appearing in a different order, format, or language than you intended; messages showing a different sender or recipient number; and your phone behaving strangely, such as draining battery faster, heating up, or displaying pop-ups or notifications that you don't recognize. All of these are potential signs that your messages may have been intercepted.

4 How can you prevent SMS interception?

To prevent SMS interception, it is best to avoid using SMS messages for sensitive or confidential communication. Instead, you can use encrypted messaging apps like Signal, WhatsApp, or Telegram that use end-to-end encryption to protect your messages from being accessed by anyone except the intended recipient. Secure email services such as ProtonMail, Tutanota, or Mailfence also use end-to-end encryption and do not require phone verification or personal information to create an account. Additionally, VPN services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark encrypt your internet traffic and hide your IP address and location from prying eyes.

5 How can you report SMS interception?

If you suspect that your SMS messages have been intercepted, you should report it to the relevant authorities. Your mobile service provider can check your phone records, block any suspicious numbers, or change your SIM card or phone number. Your online service provider can reset your passwords, enable two-factor authentication, or revoke any unauthorized access to your accounts or services. Furthermore, your local law enforcement agency can investigate the source and motive of the interception and take legal action against the perpetrators.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?