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Given the persistent nature of these cyber threats, ordinary citizens are encouraged to shift towards encrypted messaging platforms such as Signal. Unlike standard SMS, where communications may be vulnerable to interception by carriers or malicious actors, Signal uses end-to-end encryption. This ensures that only the intended recipient can read the messages and that the decryption keys remain local to the user’s device.
Additionally, it is advisable to shift away from traditional text messages or phone calls for two-factor authentication. Instead, users should adopt authenticator apps. This is crucial as hackers could capitalize on compromised networks to execute SIM swapping attacks, thus gaining unauthorized access to vital accounts tied to phone numbers.