If you are like me, you have adopted ESIM technology for its convenience – no physical card, quick switching between the carrier, easy setup, and perfect for going on holiday. However, ESIMS are not completely safe, and there are still some methods that can be hacked.
QR code scam
When setting your ESIM, you often scan the QR code provided by your carrier. The attackers exploited this by creating a disguised CRR code as a valid setup tool. Scanning a fake QR code can redirect your device to a malicious eSIM profile, which kidnaps your cellular connection. Once the compromise, the attackers can prevent your calls, messages and data, potentially leading to identification theft or financial fraud.
To protect yourself, always verify the QR code by confirming them through official carrier channels, and avoid the scanning code sent from incredible sources or found in suspicious online advertisements or websites. If you are ever uncertain, reach your carrier directly to confirm the authenticity of the QR code before scanning.
Fishing and Social Engineering
Fishing attacks are designed to trick you to reveal sensitive ESIM details. For example, a phishing or social engineering attack can apply your mobile carrier through email or text messages, allowing you to download malicious ESIM profiles or to confirm your personal details. These attacks can be extremely confident, carrier logo, contact information and mimicking the official language, while to look valid can also be sent from a spuged email address or SMS address.
Although it seems that you have nothing to worry about the fishing attack of this nature (because you are a super high net worth or “regular person” without otherwise), think again. Fishing attacks are often spray-end-on, in which the attackers send a large number of scam messages and hope that someone will suffer.
Thankfully, you can deal with the efforts of ESIM fishing attacks as any other fishing attack: not interacting or interacting with any suspicious messages or phone calls.
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Malware and spyware
Like a regular SIM card, an ESIM is unsafe for malware. U malicious apps can monitor your sensitive ESIM information, communication, and even your device activity. Similar to other ESIM attacks, the goal here is to finally control your ESIM communication with the aim of intercepting the authentication code, which can allow access to your safe accounts.
It is worth noting that malware is especially rare to target your ESIM. Back in 2019, Simjacker exploitation was exposed, but really not a really uniform attack for ESIMS (at least, which we know). For the purpose of accessing ESIM information, a device is more likely to be infected with malware designed to monitor and steal data. In addition, while malware and spyware can attack and monitor your devices, installing real malware on a SIM or ESIM is also practically unheard, and is not of course not at the level of most attackers. This is a real nation-state, detective-in-dark type items; You are more likely to click on a dodi link than being one of the first recorded victims of the actual ESIM malware.
To keep your device safe, only install apps from the iconic app store and always carefully review permissions before giving access. Regularly check your phone for unfamiliar or suspicious apps, remove unused or unnecessary software immediately, and use reliable antivirus or safety software to identify and remove potential hazards.
iOS and Android weaknesses
It actually belongs to malware and spyware, in which the attackers will try to take advantage of the issues known in the two largest mobile operating systems to find an angle to attack their ESIM. Unfortunately, the attackers are constantly searching for Android and iOS to find weaknesses that can be exploited to achieve access to your device.
Most of the time, you can reduce these issues by keeping your device updated and avoiding the installation of apps from third-party sources. For Android devices, this means avoiding sideloading apps, as informal apps can make stores package that can infect your device. There are several examples of accessing equipment in 2024 through sideloading such as a bank-coating toxicpanda attack.
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ESIM attacks are not yet common as attacks on the physical SIM card. Although ESIM Tech actually began to receive traction with iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, now provides more smartphone support than ever before, meaning its attack surface is increasing. In turn, this means that more attackers will start focusing on how to exploit Asims, so it is worth knowing what to see.
