Your sim card is one of the most important pieces of technology in your life – it’s how you connect to the world. But did you know that sim cards are also one of the most vulnerable pieces of technology when it comes to hacking? Sim card technology is ancient, and terribly insecure. A new generation of eSIMs is changing that, offering better security and more flexibility when it comes to choosing a mobile plan. Here’s what you need to know about the risks of traditional sims, and the tech revolution that’s making your sim card safer.
What is an ESim and how does it work?
An ESim, or Electronic Subscriber Identity Module, is still a sim card, and it consists of both hardware and software components, with the hardware element taking the form of a physical card. But the software component is an embedded application in the form of a file stored in a network device, which initiates and maintains the connection between that device and a mobile network operator (like Nomad or Airalo).
Through this system, users can access voice and data services on their mobile devices without needing to use separate SIM cards. Instead, the ESim performs all of these functions on its own using information contained within its software program.
In short – it’s still a physical sim but the software part can be programmed unlike traditional sims.
Hack no 1: Simjacking
The discovery of the Simjacker security vulnerability in September 2019 by AdaptiveMobile Security researchers signaled an alarming trend in SIM card hacking: attackers are now able to send a piece of spyware-like code to a target device using an SMS message, potentially allowing them to gain access to calls, messages, and even location data. Worse still, this complex attack relies on S@T Browser technology – which many phone operators use as part of the SIM Application Toolkit (STK) component – allowing hackers to take advantage of the basic web browser that service providers use to interact with certain web applications. Considering its potential for abuse, its critical that all users remain vigilant and aware of their online safety measures to avoid falling victim to these kinds of attacks.
Hack no 2: Sim swap
SIM card swapping is a malicious technique used by hackers to gain unauthorized access mobile accounts. It has been used in the past to devastating effect, such as when it was employed to hack into Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s personal account in August 2019. This event finally brought light to how destructive these kinds of attacks can be, although they do not require any technical strength on behalf of the hacker. To perform this kind of attack, the hacker will actually call up your phone provider and pretend to be you. By pretending to need an upgraded SIM card for their device, they either have your phone provider unwittingly send them the new SIM or may be able to extract confidential information from that conversation. It is essential for users to remain vigilant about their security – if our highest authority figures are vulnerable, nobody is safe!
Hack no 3: Sim Cloning
With a SIM clone attack, the hacker gains physical access to your SIM card and reproduces a replica on a blank one. This is done with the help of smart card copying software that transcribes the unique identifier number assigned to you on your original SIM card onto their own. Afterwards, they can insert this newly cloned SIM in another device and exploit vulnerable communications sent to your stolen identity. This makes it easier for cybercriminals to commit various frauds from online transactions to accessing personal information without alerting you at any point during the process. As such, these kinds of attacks can cause drastic damage in terms of not only data security but also financial losses depending on their specific ambitions.
How is an ESim more secure than a physical Sim card?
Electronic SIM (ESIM) cards fulfill the ever-growing demand for secure digital identities in a rapidly evolving world. ESIMs are ideal because they provide an extra layer of security not available on traditional SIM cards, as all authentication and information is kept digitally and no physical hardware is required. ESIMs come with a one-time activation code which makes them extremely difficult to replicate or clone. They also allow users to manage multiple profiles and switch between operator networks, making them ideal for international travelers who want access to heightened data protection and privacy functionality. On top of this, using a virtual SIM card ensures that the user’s personal information cannot be stolen or shared without explicit permission. Therefore, choosing an electronic SIM card over a physical SIM card provides consumers with added peace of mind due to their strong security features.
How to set up an ESim on your phone
Setting up an ESim on your phone is quick and easy. All you need to do is purchase an esim from a provider on their website, or download their app, log in using your account details, and select the option ‘eSIM activation’. Once you have completed these steps, you will be able to access the service provider’s unique eSIM number. You can then provide this information when activating your phone’s eSIM feature. After a few moments of processing, you’ll be ready to go. eSIM technology provides amazing benefits such as convenience, affordability, portability and flexibility when it comes to wireless connections. With just a few steps you can join the revolution and start experiencing all that eSIM has to offer.
Conclusion
ESims are the next big thing in security and convenience, so it’s time to learn how to use them. With this guide, you should be all set up and ready to go with your new ESim in no time. Have any questions or tips of your own? Leave them in the comments below!