FBI and CISA Warn: Secure Your Phone Now, Switch to Encrypted Messaging

In light of a major cyber espionage campaign attributed to China’s Salt Typhoon, the FBI and CISA have issued a rare warning for iPhone and Android users: switch to encrypted messaging and calls immediately. The hacking campaign exposed vast amounts of metadata, such as who users communicated with, when, and for how long, along with some call and text content from select individuals.

Despite past frustrations with end-to-end encryption, law enforcement officials now urge its use for better protection. Apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and FaceTime provide secure messaging and calling options that protect against interception—a risk inherent in traditional cellular and network-based messaging.

With the upcoming iOS 18.2 update, Apple will enable users to set encrypted apps as defaults for messaging and calling. The FBI’s advice is clear: once the update is live, change your settings to ensure your communications are fully protected.

Key Takeaways:

1. A Chinese hacking campaign exposed significant amounts of US telco metadata and some content.
2. Standard cellular calls and text messages are vulnerable to interception.
3. Use end-to-end encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, or FaceTime for secure communications.
4. iOS 18.2 will allow users to set encrypted apps as default for calls and messages—update and enable these features.
5. Protecting metadata is crucial, especially for those in sensitive roles or high-risk locations.

Source: “FBI Phone Hacking Warning – You Need To Change Your iPhone Settings” by Zak Doffman, Contributor at Forbes