You may already be the victim of a cyberattack. I am and Elon Musk is. Millions of Americans are.
From your personal bank or investment accounts to high-level government systems, no one is immune to the growing threat of cyber attacks.
My bank account went to zero overnight. My phone was disabled –I couldn’t call out or get calls. Our own U.S. cyber security agency was hacked!
Cyber attackers are stealing sensitive data, infiltrating telecom providers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, and launching sophisticated attacks backed by foreign governments like China, Iran, and North Korea.
Are you prepared to protect yourself?
Here are 5 disturbing facts you should know about cyberattacks—and how you can stay one step ahead…
- Cyber Attacks Are on the Rise
Cyber-crime is skyrocketing, targeting industries that store sensitive personal and business data. Telecom companies, a critical part of modern infrastructure, have become prime targets due to the vast amount of private information they handle.
Our telecom systems are now compromised.
With billions of dollars lost annually to cyber-criminals, this threat shows no signs of slowing.
Telecom providers such as T-Mobile, AT&T, and others have recently suffered numerous breaches. These attacks compromise data like call records, text messages, and personal details—information valuable to hackers and state-sponsored actors.
T-Mobile has experienced several significant cybersecurity incidents from 2021 to the present:
- August 2021 Data Breach: T-Mobile announced a cyberattack that compromised the personal information of approximately 76 million U.S. consumers, including names, addresses, birthdates, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license details. In response, T-Mobile offered affected individuals two years of free identity protection services.
- March 2022 Lapsus$ Breach: The hacking group Lapsus$ gained access to T-Mobile’s systems, obtaining source code repositories. The group unsuccessfully attempted to access the FBI and the U.S. Department of Defense accounts.
- January 2023 Data Breach: T-Mobile disclosed that a malicious actor accessed data of approximately 37 million current postpaid and prepaid customer accounts. The breach involved customer names, billing addresses, emails, phone numbers, dates of birth, T-Mobile account numbers, and information such as the number of lines on the account and service plan features.
- May 2023 Unauthorized Account Access: T-Mobile reported that between late February and March 2023, a malicious actor accessed hundreds of customer accounts. The breach involved unauthorized SIM swaps and personal plan changes.
- November 2024 Salt Typhoon Attack: T-Mobile detected and thwarted cyberattacks linked to a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group known as “Salt Typhoon.” The attackers attempted to infiltrate T-Mobile’s systems, but the company’s defense mechanisms prevented access to sensitive customer data.
- Your Phone and Bank Data May Have Already Been Stolen
If you think your personal data is safe, think again.
In recent years, breaches at major telecom providers have exposed sensitive information from millions of customers.
Hackers have exploited weak points in company networks to steal names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and even driver’s license IDs.
My Bank of America account and other customers’ accounts were hacked. I had a zero balance and was unable to withdraw my money.
It doesn’t matter what web browser you use because your carrier knows all of your searches and which websites you visit. They also know who you call and what you text.
If you’re a customer of a major telecom provider, your personal information may already be in the hands of criminals or foreign governments.
- The Most Advanced and Dangerous Attacks Are from China
One of the most concerning developments is the role of Chinese state-sponsored hackers in sophisticated cyber-espionage campaigns. These actors have breached major U.S. telecom companies to access secret government communications.
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI, Chinese hackers infiltrated networks of multiple U.S. telecom companies for months, gathering valuable intelligence – including CISA.
This breach highlights the growing threat posed by foreign adversaries using cyberattacks as espionage and economic disruption tools.
- U.S. Government Agencies Have Been Successfully Attacked
Federal government systems are prone to cyber threats.
Multiple breaches underscore how even the most secure government systems can fall victim to cyber-espionage. If state-of-the-art infrastructure can be compromised, it’s clear that businesses and individuals must also take proactive steps to secure their data.
Even our cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency was hacked.
- What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
While these threats are daunting, there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure to cyberattacks:
- Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication: Ensure your online accounts are protected with complex passwords and additional layers of security.
- Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your devices and software to patch vulnerabilities.
- Be Wary of Phishing: Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails, texts or other messages from reputable companies to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or sharing sensitive information over email or text.
- Invest in Cybersecurity Tools: Secure your internet connection with reputable antivirus software and a virtual private network (VPN).
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review your bank and credit accounts for unauthorized transactions. I use LifeLock.
Cyber-attacks are no longer a distant threat—they happen every day and target businesses, governments, and individuals like you.
The stakes have never been higher, from foreign espionage to personal data theft.
Staying informed and proactive is your best defense.
Let me know what you think. Email me at [email protected].
Action Steps:
1) Have a personal cybersecurity plan. What do you need to protect yourself?
2) Get my new book, The Great Deception: 10 Shocking Dangers and the Blueprint for Rescuing the American Dream. Make sure to read Chapter 8, Danger #7: Artificial Intelligence: The Greatest Danger Ever?
Click HERE to get The Great Deception – Craig Huey.
You can order the book on Amazon HERE.
Or get the audiobook version HERE.
You can also get an autographed edition online HERE or by phone at 615-814-6633.
You can also send a check for $26.13 (including shipping) payable to Media Specialists and send it to this address:
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