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 modifications to your account, like telephone quantity transfers, SIM card modifications, and updates to billing info.
SIM swapping assaults have turn out to be increasingly common lately. They happen when a nasty actor will get ahold of a sufferer’s telephone quantity, typically with social engineering methods similar to impersonating a sufferer and asking their service for a SIM change, after which intercepting messages and telephone calls meant for the sufferer. This could 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 the sort of fraud. AT&T started progressively rolling out Account Lock earlier this 12 months.
As noted by AT&T, its new Account Lock function additionally blocks gadget upgrades, together with modifications to approved customers and telephone numbers.
You’ll be able to flip Account Lock on or off at any time by opening the myAT&T app, deciding on Providers > Cellular 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 lively 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.