As 2G and 3G are set to be gradually abandoned by French operators over the next few years, Google has come along to provide a very good reason to no longer use its mobile networks – and more particularly the oldest one.
In a blog post shared at the beginning of August 2024, the Mountain View firm explains that 2G puts Android users at risk of SMS Blaster attacks. To put it simply, these are tools and services that allow text messages to be sent en masse that exploit the weaknesses of this cellular network.
Malicious people can thus send phishing SMS messages while being near you, whether in a car or on foot, using a device such as an SMS Blaster.
Google explains in particular that “injecting messages using an SMS Blaster completely bypasses the operator’s network and its anti-fraud and anti-spam filters, ensuring that all messages will reach a victim”.
This technique thus allows attackers to “check all message fields“. This allows them to make people believe that the SMS comes from a real entity, such as their bank, for example, in order to gain credibility and trap their victims even more easily.
Google’s advice to avoid these attacks is simple: deactivate the 2G network on your Android smartphone, possible since Android 12.
To do this, simply access the Settingsopen menu Network and Internettap the cog icon to the right of your SIM card network, and uncheck the option Allow 2G.