Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Password question
- Thread starter barbz09
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
When you’re saying, someone has your phone number, you mean, they know your number or somehow have taken control over your phone line as in a sim swap?
Obviously, just knowing your phone number is not going to get them anywhere. Having control over your phone number could give them access to two factor authentication through text, but they won’t have access to your passwords. If they physically get your iPhone or get access to your Apple account then they could your passwords.
Also, unless you’re a dignitary from a foreign country, no one is going to hack your phone. They get information from you usually by you giving it to them. They’ll send you an email or a text saying we need your information and you’ll give it to them because you don’t know any better. That’s usually what happens.
I gave my number to them via messenger thinking they were my neighbor, then they emailed me asking for my email which I didn’t give them. I just want to make sure my passwords and sign ins are secure as I do everything with my phone and thanks for answering. Would I know if they did an e swap? I don’t have a physical SIM card in my phone
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Face ID or Touch ID (or manually entering your phone password) is the path to getting to your passwords. If it was as easy as you are imagining, everybody could easily access everyone else's passwords. There would be whole mainstream hacks just guessing at phone numbers to get at passwords.
Sharing phone numbers & email is a common thing- people do it like crazy, often including both in email signatures.
Sharing phone numbers & email is a common thing- people do it like crazy, often including both in email signatures.
I wouldn’t worry about the Sim swap hack. This is not something that’s usually targeted towards average people. If you have $50k+ in your bank account, then make sure it’s secured by more than text 2FA. If you’re worried I know many carriers in the USA will lock your phone number with a pin or passcode. I’m not sure about outside the USA though.
I would just block them and not worry about it. The best advice anyone can give you is what my mom would say “Don’t talk to strangers” 😂