The FBI has issued a warning to iPhone and Android users after a cyberattack compromised several US telecommunication companies, exposing millions of Americans to potential data breaches.
Officials are now advising mobile users to switch to encrypted messaging apps to protect their personal information from hackers.
The cyberattack targeted eight major telecom and infrastructure firms, including AT&T and Verizon.
The breach has also been described as one of the largest intelligence compromises in US history, with experts now saying encrypted communication offers the best protection against these types of attacks.
Jeff Greene, the executive assistant director for cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), told NBC: “Encryption is your friend. Whether it’s for text messaging or voice communication, encryption ensures that even if adversaries intercept data, they won’t be able to access it.”
A senior FBI official, who spoke anonymously, also stressed the importance of using secure devices.
They recommended choosing phones that receive regular system updates, enable encryption by default, and offer phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication for email and social media apps.
Encrypted messages use technology that scrambles information into unreadable text, which can only be decoded by the intended recipient using a “secret key.”
This prevents unauthorized access, even if the data is intercepted.
Popular apps such as iMessage (when sent between iPhones), Google Messages, WhatsApp, Signal, and “secret chats” on Telegram already use encryption to secure communications.
The FBI said that hackers accessed three main types of information:
- Call records – These included metadata showing the numbers called and the times of the calls, with hackers focusing on the Washington D.C. area.
- Live phone calls – Hackers were able to intercept specific targets, although the FBI has not disclosed how many individuals were affected.
- Telecom systems – Attackers exploited systems governed by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), which allows agencies with court orders to monitor communications.
To minimize risks, the FBI is advising people to avoid using standard SMS text messages and instead rely on encrypted platforms.
Switching to encrypted messaging apps adds a layer of protection, ensuring that even if hackers gain access to the data, it remains unreadable.
