Cyber Crime
FBI Urges Americans to Switch to Encrypted Apps Amid Unprecedented Cyberattacks
In the wake of a massive cyberattack on major U.S. telecommunications companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies, U.S. officials are warning citizens to secure their communications through encrypted messaging apps to avoid foreign espionage.
The attack, dubbed Salt Typhoon by Microsoft, is one of the most significant intelligence breaches in U.S. history, with no clear end in sight. Authorities have confirmed that Chinese hackers infiltrated telecom giants to spy on Americans, accessing sensitive data such as call records and live communications.
During a news briefing, FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) officials advised citizens to prioritize encryption—particularly for text messages and voice calls—as a key defense against the ongoing cyber threat. Jeff Greene of CISA stressed, “Encryption is your friend. Even if hackers intercept your data, encryption makes it unreadable.”
The compromised information includes call metadata, which identifies the phone numbers dialed and call timestamps, with a particular focus on the Washington, D.C. area. In addition, some live calls of high-profile targets, including political figures like Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, were reportedly intercepted. However, authorities have not disclosed the full scope of the breach, nor have they alerted all affected individuals.
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Privacy advocates have long championed the use of end-to-end encryption apps like Signal and WhatsApp, which automatically protect communications. Other services like Google Messages and iMessage also offer encryption, but experts recommend using devices with automatic operating system updates and strong, multi-factor authentication.
While the hacking campaign has raised concerns, U.S. officials maintain that it was not aimed at interfering with the 2024 elections but rather a conventional cyberespionage operation by China to gather intelligence on American politics and government activities. The breach, however, has sparked renewed debates over the security of sensitive communications and the U.S. reliance on vulnerable systems like CALEA, which allows law enforcement to track communications.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore) sharply criticized the system, warning that as long as sensitive data remains accessible, it will continue to be a target for foreign adversaries like China.
As the cyberattack continues to unfold, U.S. officials are urging Americans to take proactive measures to safeguard their privacy and data, with encryption offering a critical line of defense against evolving threats.