Latest news with #WirelessAccountLock
Tom's Guide
18 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
AT&T unveils a new way to protect customers from SIM swapping — here's what you need to know
SIM swapping is one of the more nefarious and difficult-to-deal-with cybercrimes that can affect phone users. However, a new feature from AT&T, called Wireless Account Lock, wants to help defend against it. AT&T announced the feature in a news post that details how Wireless Account Lock can help to protect your phone. According to AT&T, users can turn the feature on and off via a toggle located in the AT&T app available for postpaid wireless accounts. When activated, the Account Lock blocks the phone from performing certain functions, including: These features will remain locked until the Wireless Account Lock is deactivated within the app, which requires physical access to the phone. AT&T is also providing a Business Account Lock, which offers more power to an account administrator by allowing them to exempt certain lines from the lock, as well as being able to enable select lock functions if desired, rather than locking all of them. The main reason for this new feature is to limit the number of SIM swapping scams, which can be a major issue for customers and businesses to handle. The scam involves the scammer faking a request to move your phone number over to a new SIM card, which then allows them to receive calls and texts meant for you. With that, they can do things like bypass two-factor authentication by receiving the call or text themselves. It can be difficult to tell if you have been the victim of this kind of scam, but there are a couple of major red flags to be on the lookout for. The first is if you experience a sudden loss of service, blocking your ability to receive calls or texts. Also, make sure to check for any unauthorized transactions on your accounts, or if you lose access online. This new feature should go a long way in helping to keep AT&T customers safe, but there are other steps that everyone can take to help protect themselves. Firstly, it's wise to set up a PIN or a strong password with your network provider, which will be required when trying to make any account changes. On top of this, it is a good idea to set up biometrics, like Face ID or a fingerprint scan, on your accounts as an extra level of security. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. For more help with security, we have breakdowns on how to protect your phone from viruses and malware, as well as guides on how to protect your new devices. We also have a breakdown of the best password managers, as well as the best VPNs, to help you keep your devices safe.
Android Authority
a day ago
- Android Authority
Tired of surprise plan changes? AT&T's new Wireless Account Lock feature has you covered
AT&T TL;DR AT&T has introduced a new Wireless Account Lock for postpaid and prepaid subscribers. The feature prevents anyone from making unauthorized changes to your account, such as billing updates, line changes, or device changes. It's available as a toggle on the myAT&T app. AT&T is introducing a new Wireless Account Lock feature that lets you lock your subscriber account to prevent any unauthorized changes. People often complain about reps making changes to their accounts without their knowledge, adding or removing plans, promotions, etc. This new feature should protect AT&T users from anyone trying to alter their accounts without their consent. According to the carrier, Wireless Account Lock can be activated using the myAT&T app, where users will see a new lock switch. The feature disables key account changes, such as billing updates, line changes, or device changes. It also prevents anyone from buying a device on your account or moving your phone number to a SIM in a different device. Wireless Account Lock is available for AT&T's postpaid and prepaid subscribers. Postpaid accounts can also be managed by those who are given secondary online access by the account owner to co-manage the account. AT&T also has a similar account lock for business subscribers. What devices are protected by AT&T's Wireless Account Lock? AT&T says Wireless Account Lock affects every device and line on your AT&T Wireless account, including: Smartphones Tablets Wearables Hotspots Laptops Non-wireless services aren't included in Wireless Account Lock. How to activate Wireless Account Lock on AT&T? You can turn Wireless Account Lock on or off at any time using the myAT&T app. The app must be installed on a device active on your Wireless account. You will also receive an email on your primary account whenever you turn Wireless Account Lock on or off. Here's how you can turn on the feature: Open the myAT&T app Select Services Choose Mobile Security, then scroll to Wireless Account Lock Select Continue Choose the account that you want to lock or unlock Swipe to lock or unlock the account Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Phone Arena
a day ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
AT&T launches important security feature for postpaid and prepaid customers
AT&T Open the myAT&T app. Sign in, if asked. Select Services (second tab at the bottom). Choose Mobile Security, then scroll to and select Wireless Account Lock. Scroll to and select Continue. Choose the account that you want to lock or unlock. Swipe to lock or unlock the account. Do you plan to activate AT&T's new Wireless Account Lock? Yes, an extra layer of security doesn't hurt. Nope, it's too much of a hassle. I haven't decided yet. Yes, an extra layer of security doesn't hurt. 0% Nope, it's too much of a hassle. 0% I haven't decided yet. 0% Wireless Account Lock affects every device and line on your account | Image credit: AT&T Apart from the standard Wireless Account Lock, AT&T also launched a new Business Account Lock and an AT&T Prepaid wireless account lock with similar functions. Business customers will find the lock switch where the account is accessed online. Wireless Account Lock prevents: Upgrading a device Changing a SIM card or eSIM Initiating a phone number transfer Adding a new line Changing billing information Changing authorized users Changing phone numbers Business Account Lock (wireless) prevents: Upgrading a device Changing a SIM card or eSIM Initiating a phone number transfer Account administrator can: Exempt certain lines from lock Enable just one or two of the lock functions if desired Keep in mind that Wireless Account Lock affects every device and line on your AT&T Wireless account, including smartphones, tablets, wearables, hotspots, and laptops. Only non-wireless services will not be affected by Wireless Account Lock. Apart from the standard Wireless Account Lock,also launched a new Business Account Lock and anPrepaid wireless account lock with similar functions. Business customers will find the lock switch where the account is accessed in mind that Wireless Account Lock affects every device and line on yourWireless account, including smartphones, tablets, wearables, hotspots, and laptops. Only non-wireless services will not be affected by Wireless Account Lock. Get a Motorola Razr 2025 for just $199.99! Switch to a 2-month Total 5G or 5G+ plan with Total Wireless and score this foldable deal. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer US carriers have many protections in place that trigger when malicious third parties attempt to scam one of their customers. Today, AT&T introduced an extra layer of protection for online accounts that's supposed to prevent key account Account Lock is a new security feature offered by, which disables several key account changes such as billing updates or wireless number transfers. The security feature can be enabled from the new toggle button in your phone's myAT&T app for postpaid consumer wireless important to mention that Wireless Account Lock can be managed on the myAT&T app by the account owner and those who are given secondary online access by the account owner to co-manage the put it simply, Wireless Account Lock will prevent anyone from buying a device on the account or conduct a SIM swap. Those who decide to enable this extra layer of security should take into account the fact that they may need to be available to temporarily unlock their account for a family member when they want to buy a new device or make other changes.
CNET
2 days ago
- Business
- CNET
AT&T's New Lock Option Thwarts Thieves Who Try to Access Your Account
AT&T is rolling out a new feature in its MyAT&T app intended to prevent nefarious individuals from accessing customers' online accounts. Wireless Account Lock, which has been rolling out in waves but will reach wide availability on Tuesday, disables some key actions that are frequently used to circumvent a legitimate owner's access to their account. This type of access is different from large data breaches, such as the two incidents that AT&T has recently agreed to settle for $177 million. Wireless Account Lock adds a security step to keep someone from getting access to your account and doing things such as shutting you out or ordering hardware -- on your dime -- that is then shipped elsewhere. A new Business Account Lock feature is also now active for corporate customers. AT&T prepaid customers can also engage an account lock with similar blocking features. Crucially, only the primary account holder and any person on the account that they designate as a secondary account holder can control the Wireless Account Lock. That blocks others on the account from making important changes. The Wireless Account Lock feature is accessible only through the MyAT&T app. On postpaid accounts, it works on any active AT&T device associated with the account. If that phone is lost, the primary or secondary holder can log in to the app using another device registered to the account. If one is not available, you'll need to contact AT&T and go through a more rigorous authentication process. What gets locked down by Wireless Account Lock The lock feature is designed to protect against someone impersonating you to gain account access. When it's enabled, the following features require the approval of the account holder(s) to be implemented: • Changes to billing info, authorized users and phone numbers • Transferring wireless numbers to other accounts • Buying or upgrading a device on the account • Swapping the SIM card or eSIM to another device • Adding a new line For the Business Account Lock, account administrators can control which lines are locked and can choose which lock features are implemented. How to enable Wireless Account Lock When signed into the MyAT&T app, do the following: Tap the Services button (the icon with a grid of squares). Tap Mobile security. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap Wireless Account Lock, then tap Continue to get past the explanation of what the feature does. Tap the checkbox after you've reviewed the terms and conditions, and then drag the Swipe to Lock slider.
