Let’s talk hygiene.
Not the toothpaste-and-deodorant kind. That’s between you and your coworkers.
I’m talking about digital hygiene. The little habits that quietly protect you from cyber meltdowns, account takeovers, and the gut-punch feeling of realizing someone just drained your bank account at 2 a.m.
It’s easy to think that cybersecurity is for the “big guys.” Tech companies, banks, and government agencies. People with giant servers and zero trust frameworks.
But here’s the truth no one tells you at the Genius Bar: your phone number is a soft underbelly. And if you haven’t locked it down, washed it off, and kept it safe, you’re basically walking around with your security fly unzipped.
Let’s clean that up, shall we?
Step One: Why Your Phone Number Is a Problem
Your phone number used to be a way for people to call you.
Now it’s the skeleton key to your online identity.
Think about it. That little ten-digit number is tied to:
- Your email
- Your bank
- Your Venmo
- Your Apple or Google account
- Your crypto wallet (if you’re feeling spicy)
- Your 2FA codes
- Your “forgot password” resets
- Your identity verification at three different doctor’s offices
If someone gets control of your number, they’re not just texting your friends weird GIFs. They’re intercepting your multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes, resetting your logins, and potentially draining your accounts faster than you can say “wait, what just happened?”
This is why SIM swapping is such a big deal.
What Is SIM Swapping?
SIM swapping is the kind of scam that feels way too low-tech to be this effective. It works like this:
A hacker convinces your phone carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) to “move” your number to a new SIM card. One they control.
This can be done by pretending to be you, bribing a call center rep, or exploiting a system vulnerability.
Once your number is on their SIM, they now receive every text, call, and authentication code meant for you.
Congratulations, you’ve just been digitally mugged.
You might still have your phone in your hand, but suddenly your texts aren’t coming in. Your bank’s texting someone else. Your email’s been reset. You’re out of your accounts and locked out of your own digital life.
And here’s the kicker: you don’t need to be famous or rich to be a target. You just need to be unprotected.
Credit Freeze, Meet SIM Lock
Now imagine you could put a padlock on your phone number. Something that says, “Hey, even if someone does try to move this number, don’t let them. Not unless I explicitly allow it.”
That’s what AT&T’s new Wireless Lock does.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because the credit bureaus have been doing this for years. You can freeze your credit profile with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion so that no one can open a new loan in your name without your say-so. It doesn’t stop identity theft entirely, but it shuts down one of the most damaging parts.
Wireless Lock is the same idea, just applied to your phone number.
What Wireless Lock Actually Does
AT&T has finally rolled out this feature to all customers. It’s free, and you can enable it right from their app or website. No sales pitch. No upsell. No special contract required.
Here’s what happens when you enable it:
- Your number cannot be moved to a new SIM or ported to another carrier unless you unlock it manually.
- AT&T employees can’t override it. That blocks one of the most common attack methods, which is bribery or employee error.
- Billing and account changes are locked down too. That shuts down another potential vector of attack.
- Business accounts get more options, like excluding certain lines or preventing specific types of account modifications.
Think of it like putting your phone number in a digital vault. You can still use your phone normally. But if someone tries to move your number behind your back, they hit a wall.
And yes, Verizon has had a similar feature for years. AT&T is late to the party, but at least they brought snacks.
But What About MFA Codes?
Here’s where it gets a little awkward.
Even if your phone number is locked down, a lot of people still rely on it to receive security codes. You know the ones:
“We just need to verify it’s you. Please enter the 6-digit code we just sent to your phone…”
This is called SMS-based MFA. And yes, it’s better than nothing. But it’s also the duct tape of authentication. It works, until it doesn’t.
If a hacker manages to hijack your number, they don’t need your password. They just wait for the system to send a code to the number they now control. And if your login depends on that text message, you’re toast.
Enter: Authenticator Apps
Now, let me introduce you to a better option. It’s called an authenticator app, and it works like a mini vault that lives on your phone.
Google Authenticator. Microsoft Authenticator. Authy. 1Password’s built-in tool. Take your pick.
These apps generate codes that rotate every 30 seconds, but they don’t rely on your phone number. There’s nothing for an attacker to intercept. The codes are stored locally on your device.
Here’s why this is a big deal:
- It doesn’t matter if you’re in airplane mode
- It doesn’t matter if you lost your cell signal
- It doesn’t matter if someone cloned your SIM card
If it’s not tied to your number, it can’t be hijacked through your carrier.
That’s why this blog isn’t just about locking your phone number. It’s about leveling up your entire security posture. If you’re still using SMS for MFA and there’s an option to switch to an app, do it. Yesterday.
SIM Swaps in the Wild
Still think this stuff is just for crypto bros and conspiracy theorists? Let’s look at some real-world examples:
- In 2020, a SIM swap attack led to $794,000 in cryptocurrency theft. The attacker used the victim’s number to reset credentials and drain accounts.
- In 2021, T-Mobile warned customers about SIM swap attacks compromising multiple users.
- In 2023, Google Fi customers were targeted after a data breach made their information vulnerable to SIM-related fraud.
- Cybercriminal groups like Scattered Spider have been indicted for using SIM swaps to break into corporate networks.
- Telecom employees at Verizon and T-Mobile have reportedly been offered bribes to perform SIM swaps manually. Sometimes just a few hundred bucks.
These aren’t isolated stories. They are part of a growing trend.
Hackers go after your phone number because it’s often the easiest, most low-resistance way into your life. It’s faster than cracking passwords. It’s cheaper than buying a zero-day exploit. And it works.
But I’m Just a Regular Person…
Exactly. Which makes you a perfect target.
Think about it. You have less security training, weaker defenses, and more reused passwords than a large company. But your accounts still hold money. You still receive verification codes. You still have sensitive data.
Hackers don’t need millions from each person. They just need lots of easy wins. That’s you, if you don’t take small steps to harden your digital perimeter.
Good Hygiene Is Layered
Cybersecurity isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making yourself less convenient to attack.
Think of your phone number as your toothbrush. You don’t share it. You keep it clean. You replace it if it gets weird. And you don’t leave it sitting out for anyone to grab.
Here’s your digital hygiene checklist:
- Enable Wireless Lock if you’re on AT&T
- Check your MFA methods. Switch any SMS-based ones to an authenticator app
- Audit your carrier settings. Does your provider have a SIM lock or account PIN feature? Enable it
- Use a password manager. Stop reusing passwords across accounts
- Be skeptical of texts and calls. Phishing often starts with social engineering
- Don’t assume “it won’t happen to me.” The people who get hit hardest usually say that
FAQs I Hear All the Time
Q: Isn’t SMS better than nothing?
Yes, it’s better than no MFA at all. But once you know a better option exists, there’s no excuse not to use it.
Q: What happens if I lose my phone with an authenticator app on it?
Most apps offer backup options or recovery codes. Store them securely. And remember, this is why having a password manager is a life-saver.
Q: I’m not on AT&T. What do I do?
Check your provider’s website or call them. Verizon, T-Mobile, and others all have some form of SIM protection. It may be buried in the settings, but it’s worth digging for.
Q: Do I really need to do all this? I’m not that important.
Tell that to the thousands of people whose savings, crypto, and identities were stolen through their phone number. You’re important enough to a hacker if you’re easy to breach.
The Bottom Line
Cybersecurity hygiene is not about fear. It’s about forming habits that keep the messy stuff away from your door.
Locking your phone number is one of the easiest, most effective steps you can take to protect your digital life. And swapping text-based MFA for an app is a close second.
These are small changes. They don’t require a degree in IT or a keynote speech at DEF CON. But they make a massive difference when someone’s trying to sneak into your accounts while you sleep.
Final Thoughts (or: The Part Where I Gently Nudge You)
If you’ve read this far, do one thing right now.
Go lock your phone number. Open the app, toggle the setting, and give yourself a little high-five.
Then look at your most important accounts. Email, bank, Amazon, whatever you use most. Switch them to an authenticator app if they allow it.
If you want help figuring it out, reach out. No shame. I do this for a living and have seen firsthand how a two-minute fix can prevent a six-month disaster.
Hygiene isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared.
So scrub up, lock down, and keep your digits to yourself.
