Cell towers are essential assets to wireless coverage, enabling seamless communication and connectivity. Unfortunately, as cell towers become more advanced, so do digital threats and sophisticated fraud tactics such as fake cell towers which mimic legitimate cell towers to intercept communications, capture personal data, and conduct SMS scams. However, there are ways to protect yourself and your data.
What Are Fake Cell Towers?
Fake cell towers are unauthorized devices that pose as legitimate cell sites and work to trick nearby phones into connecting to them instead of into a genuine network. Fake cell towers go by other names, such as IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) catchers or Stingrays, and can capture phone numbers, text messages, call information, and location data. These devices are also able to inject fake text messages that can lure users into scams.
Typically, a phone connects to the nearest, strongest cell tower within range. However, fake cell towers exploit the protocols that connect mobile phones to cell networks, setting a “closest” and most “available” option to trick the devices into automatically connecting to it. Once connected, the fake tower can intercept any data transmitted including calls, texts, and app usage data. Cybersecurity experts have also raised concerns about these towers, noting that they can be housed in small, portable devices, making them mobile and hard to detect.
The Rise of SMS Scams Through Fake Cell Towers
One of the largest dangers surrounding the use of fake cell towers is their role in SMS scams. In recent years, scammers have utilized these towers to send fake texts, pretending to be banks, telecom providers, or online services. These texts may include malicious links or ask for personal information, leading to data theft and financial fraud for unsuspecting victims.
Multiple organizations have been working to make people aware of this increasing threat. Smart Communications has recently issued an alert regarding the rise in SMS scams that present users with fake websites and links requiring sensitive information. Google has also been working to raise awareness about the risks of these fake cell towers and how quickly these scams can be executed. Google has been urging caution in high-traffic areas, as scammers have been known to utilize mobile stations to blast scam SMS messages directly to phones they connect with, often connecting to unsuspecting users.
How to Protect Yourself Against Scammers
This new method of digital fraud may feel overwhelming, especially as this type of scamming happens fast and often goes unrecognized until it’s too late, but many preventative measures can be taken to protect yourself and your data.
- Be cautious with SMS messages. Do not click on links or download files from unsolicited text messages, especially those asking for personal information. Legitimate companies typically will not ask for sensitive information over text.
- Verify links and sources. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be a service provider, bank, mail courier, or other service, directly contact the institution instead of following the provided link.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an additional layer of security. If scammers do capture your credentials, they still cannot access your accounts without successfully completing the two-factor authentication.
- Limit sensitive activities on public networks and avoid entering sensitive information such as passwords or banking information. Take caution when connecting to networks at malls, airports, events, or other large, populated areas as fake cell towers will mainly be deployed in crowded, high-traffic areas to reach the highest possible number of vulnerable users.
- Consider using encrypted communication apps. Encrypted apps offering end-to-end encryption protect messages from being intercepted, adding an additional layer of security.
- Keep your phone’s software up to date. Operating system updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities in your device. Staying updated helps protect from ill-natured interception.
- Use VPN (Virtual Private Network) services to encrypt your internet connection. This makes it difficult for fake cell towers to capture your data.
You’re Not Alone: What Telecom Providers and Governments Are Doing
Telecom providers and governments are aware of the threats that fake cell towers pose and are working to mitigate them. Some companies are actively informing the public on how to recognize SMS scams linked to deceptive devices and offering the ability to report scam messages. Other providers are working on the offensive, investing in advanced monitoring systems that can detect unusual activity, and potentially shutting down the fake towers before posing a risk to users.
Governments are also working alongside telecom providers to increase regulation and oversight of mobile network signals, aiming to detect unauthorized IMSI catchers. Improving regulation can help limit the availability of such devices and penalize unauthorized use.
Conclusion
The emergence of fake cell towers is a reminder to keep yourself aware and protected with modern technology. By understanding how these devices operate and taking preventative steps, users can be better prepared to protect their personal information from interception and fraud. Whereas major companies and governments are working together to mitigate these threats, awareness and caution remain the best defenses against the possible risks posed by fake cell towers.
Accurate telecommunications data is key to making intelligent, location-based decisions. As the single leading provider of fiber maps, telecom infrastructure data, and data visualization, GeoTel can provide more than 15 telecom datasets: including fiber maps, fiber-lit buildings, cell towers, data centers, and more. To learn how GeoTel’s data can elevate your organization’s decision-making, reach out to our specialists today.
