Network Settings Text

[Richard1962]

I've just received a text, which came from "Unknown" stating "Great news! We've just updated some of your network settings, please restart your phone to make sure it's up to date".

Is this a legitimate text from ee, or a scam?

[Kim26597]

I agree. 

Not only does the message come from an Unknown number, but it is also missing a full stop at the end of the sentence.

Great news! We've updated some of your network settings, please restart your phone to make sure it's up to date

I genuinely think a huge, professional organisation like ee, would get their punctuation correct!

EE are closed now, so my phone will be staying on until I can speak to them in the morning. 

[Kim26597]

There is some advice on Forbes.com about this exact test message, from 2019 which states;

“…security researchers from cybersecurity firm Check Point Software revealed that some of the most popular Android smartphones including models by Samsung, Huawei, LG, and Sony—which means that over 50% of all Android phones are affected , according to the latest data from StatCounter—are vulnerable to advanced phishing attacks disguised in the otherwise innocent carrier update text message.

“In these attacks, a remote agent can trick users into accepting new phone settings that, for example, route all their Internet traffic through a proxy controlled by the attacker,” said the researchers. “This attack vector relies on a process called over-the-air (OTA) provisioning, which is normally used by cellular network operators to deploy network-specific settings to a new phone joining their network. However, as we show, anyone can send OTA provisioning messages.””

Perhaps these attacks have now improved to cover Apple products now also? Either way, it’s not going to hurt to wait until the morning when EE can be contacted. 

[bristolian]

No harm can come from restarting a device, and no scammer has anything to gain by a user doing so.

[Jon_K]

Hi @Seja75.

Welcome to the community.

What was the number?

Are there any links or anything in the message?

Jon

[Emsikle]

No number just says unknown and when you click to info there is nothing. No links nothing at all. I’ll try and put pic up of the message 

[Squidge49]

[Richard1962]

As you can see, no information available on sender or their number

[Jon_K]

Hi @Richard1962.

If you haven't contacted us recently about anything I'd recommend deleting and ignoring this message.

Since it contains no links, it's very unlikely to be a scam message trying to get information from you.

Jon

[Donnabons]

I received the text from unknown number yesterday asking me to restart my phone. I just deleted the message but I’ve just had the same message again this time saying it was from EE.