Frequent Phone Number Leaks: How Users Can Protect Themselves

[Mostafa044]

The alarming frequency of phone number leaks has made it a pressing concern for individuals worldwide, including here in Bangladesh. While we can't stop breaches from happening, we can significantly reduce our risk and mitigate the impact if our data is exposed. Protecting your phone number is crucial because it often serves as a primary identifier for various online accounts, making it a target for scams, identity theft, and SIM swap attacks.

Here's a comprehensive guide on how users can protect themselves:

I. Proactive Measures: Before a Leak Happens
These steps focus on reducing your exposure and hardening your digital defenses.

Limit Public Sharing of Your Phone Number:

Social Media: Avoid listing your primary phone number on canada phone number list public social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.). Even if your profile is "private," data can still be scraped or leaked.
Online Forms: Be cautious when providing your number on websites, especially for non-essential services, surveys, or contests. Question why the number is needed.
Public Directories: If your number is listed in any public directories (e.g., local business listings, old yellow pages), try to have it removed.
Use Alternative Numbers for Non-Critical Services: