America's Largest Telecom Breach

Good Morning,

A Chinese hacking group called "Salt Typhoon" has pulled off what experts are calling the largest telecommunications breach in U.S. history. They've been silently listening to phone calls, reading text messages, and tracking who calls whom across major U.S. carriers.

And the scariest part? They're still doing it.

Here's Why This Matters to You:

If you use any of these carriers, your data could be compromised:

• AT&T

• Verizon

• T-Mobile

• [And dozens more across the globe]

Who’s The Target

While Salt Typhoon seems particularly interested in government officials and business leaders, they're casting an enormous net. They're collecting millions of conversations from everyday people like us. Why? Because in today's world, data is power. Your conversations, who you talk to, when you talk to them - it all builds a picture that can be used in ways we're just beginning to understand.

The Timeline:

• Late 2022: Initial breaches begin

• Mid-2023: Hackers gain full access to major systems

• Early 2024: FBI discovers the scope of the breach

• TODAY: Systems remain compromised despite ongoing efforts

The government estimates that telecommunications-related crimes will cost Americans over $40 billion this year alone. And that number keeps growing because our phones have become the keys to our entire lives - banking, healthcare, personal relationships, everything.

How Not To Get Got

I know suggesting you stop using your phone isn't realistic. We all need to communicate. But there are some simple things you can do to protect yourself, and I promise they don't require a computer science degree:

First, start treating your sensitive conversations like you would a private conversation in public - move them to a more secure space. If you have an iphone, youre good; iMessage is already encrypted. If not you can Download Signal or WhatsApp (they're as easy to use as regular, I promise). When you need to discuss anything private - health issues, financial details, personal matters - use these apps instead of regular calls or texts.

Second, change how you verify people's identity. If you get a call from your "bank," don't trust that it's really them just because the caller ID says so. Hang up and call the number on your bank card instead. Salt Typhoon has shown they can manipulate phone systems, so we need to be extra careful.

Lastly, and this is important - spread the word to your family, especially older relatives. Scammers love to target people who aren't aware of these threats. Having a five-minute conversation with your loved ones about being careful on the phone could save them from disaster.

Remember, you don't need to understand how the hack works to protect yourself from it. Just like you don't need to know how a lock works to use a key.

Encrypted messages for the WIN.

Don't Get Got!

P.S. If you found this helpful, forward it to someone you care about. Looking out for each other is the best defense we have.