What Is a SIM Card?

8 Things You Need

to Know
BYSIMON BATT
PUBLISHED OCT 1, 2021

SIM cards are an important part of your phone,

but what do they do and how do you use them?
Image Credit: fortton/Shutterstock.com
Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our
site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.

To use your phone as an actual phone, you need

to put a SIM card into it first. But what's a SIM
card, why are they so important, and what
happens if you use a phone without a SIM card?
Let's explore the world of SIM cards and how
they help us connect.

1. What Does "SIM"

Stand For?
Let's check off the basics first. The word "SIM"
stands for "subscriber identity module," and its
name alone tells you a lot about what a SIM card
does. It's your miniature passport for using
cellular data and identifies who you are on the
network.
Close
2. What Does a SIM
Card Do?
You don't need a SIM card for a phone to turn
on. You can test this yourself by removing the
SIM card from your phone and booting it up. It
should turn on just fine.
However, you'll notice that your phone won't get
a signal. This is because your SIM card is
responsible for holding all of the information
required to connect you to the cellular network.
This includes the network you're subscribed to,
your phone number, and what data you can use
on it (3G, 4G, and 5G). As such, if you remove
the SIM card, you remove the information the
phone needs to connect to the network—hence
why you get no signal.
You can still use non-cellular forms of data
without a SIM card, such as Wi-Fi. However,
features such as calls over Wi-Fi still require a
SIM card, because the data is eventually
handled by your network provider down the line.
RELATED:WHAT IS A SIM CARD AND WHAT DOES
IT DO?

3. SIM Cards Come in

Different Sizes
Image Credit: Crystal Eye Studio/Shutterstock.com

SIM cards in three different sizes; Nano, Micro,

and Standard. The size that your phone accepts
will depend on the phone's make, size, and
recency. As such, when you want to get a new
SIM card, you need to figure out which size your
phone likes and order one of the correct sizes.
Fortunately, most cellular carriers have handled
this issue very well. When you order a SIM card
from a popular provider, they'll give you a
Standard-sized one. However, the SIM card will
have perforations inside of it that allow you to
transform it into its Micro or Nano forms by
tearing parts off of it.

4. Some Phones Let

You Use Two SIM
Cards at Once
Credit: Boris Sosnovyy/Shutterstock.com

You may have heard of phones being "dual

SIM." This feature is a particularly useful one to
have if you want to manage more than one
phone number.
As you might expect from the name, a dual SIM
phone allows you to put two SIM cards into one
phone. This lets you manage two different phone
numbers—one per SIM—on a single phone.
This is really handy if you want to separate your
friend and family phone number from your work
phone number. If you install both your work and
leisure SIM cards into a dual-SIM phone, you'll
receive calls to both numbers from one phone.
This also means you can call people from either
number. Usually, this is handled when you try to
call someone, as your phone will then ask you
which SIM card you'd like to use to make the
call.
And yes, this does mean you can benefit from
two networks at once. For example, if you install
two SIM cards from different carriers, SIM 1 may
get a strong signal where SIM 2 can't, and vice
versa.
RELATED:WHAT
ARE DUAL SIM PHONES? DO YOU
REALLY NEED ONE?

5. SIM Cards Can Store

(Some) Data
SIM cards can store a little bit of data. However,
before you try to cram your photos onto it, SIM
cards can only store up to about 256kb of data,
so you can't squeeze a lot onto it.
What you can fit on it are contacts and SMS
messages. This is handy when you're changing
phones, as you can bring all your contacts with
you without needing to re-add everyone.
If you're interested in taking a peek within the
card, there are apps that help you manage your
SIM card's data. You can use these to browse all
the information stored within, which is handy if
you're planning to upgrade to a new phone.
Speaking of changing phones...
6. SIM Cards Aren't
Tied to One Phone
When you put a SIM card into one phone, it
doesn't attach itself to that phone forever. You
can take the SIM card out of the phone and put it
in a new one, such as when you're upgrading.
There are a few caveats for this. For instance, if
your new phone requires a different sized SIM
card than your current one, you may need to
modify your SIM card or order a new one. And,
unfortunately, some phones just won't accept
your SIM card at all...

7. You Can Only Use a

Specific Carrier's SIM
Card on a Locked
Phone
When getting into the world of SIM cards, you
need to get acquainted with two terms: "locked"
and "unlocked." These two terms dictate which
SIM cards you can use on a phone.
A "locked" phone can only use SIM cards from
specific carriers. You'll usually see locked
phones appear when a network carrier teams up
with a device manufacturer to give their
customers exclusive access to a specific phone.
If you insert an incompatible SIM card into a
locked phone, it won't work.
On the other hand, an "unlocked" phone allows
SIM cards from any provider. This can be a
phone created by a manufacturer who does not
have an allegiance with any specific network
carrier. Mobile phone shops and repair places
can also "unlock" a previously locked phone so it
accepts any SIM card. They usually sell for more
than locked phones.
It's important to note that these terms are
different than when you "unlock" your phone's
security using a PIN code, pattern, or biometric
scan. As such, if you see a phone advertised on
the market as "unlocked," it doesn't mean it
doesn't come with a lock screen!
RELATED:HOW
TO SIM UNLOCK YOUR ANDROID
SMARTPHONE OR TABLET

8. You Can Likely Use

Your SIM Card Abroad
(but You May Not Want
To)
Image Credit: Oleksiy Mark/Shutterstock.com
Some data providers allow what's called "data
roaming" when you go overseas. This is when
your cellular company strikes a deal with other
companies abroad so that your SIM card can
use their network.
However, before you rush off on holiday with
your phone in your pocket, double-check your
carrier's roaming charges. Some companies will
add a pretty hefty price on using data abroad,
meaning you can't use your phone as you would
back home. And some countries may be more
expensive to roam within than others.
If you want to save some money, it may be worth
getting a SIM card when you arrive at your
destination. That way, you'll pay the same rate
as the citizens do.
You'll have a different number as a result, but it
will make communication within the country a lot
easier. Plus, if you have a dual-SIM, you can
keep your current SIM in case someone wants to
talk to you, and add the foreign SIM as your
second one.

SIM Cards Made Simple

SIM cards can be confusing at first, but they're
not as complex as you may first think. Now you
know what SIM cards do, the sizes they come in,
and how to use them.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Comments
ShareTweetShareShareShare
Copy
Email
Link copied to clipboard
RELATED TOPICS
 TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED
 SIM CARD
 SMARTPHONE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Simon Batt(809 Articles Published)

A Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014,
and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio, he
found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things
tech.

POLL

Has a health tracking app on your smartphone made you any healthier?

Absolutely
Only in the beginning
Not at all
VoteView ResultsDiscuss This Poll
 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
 ONLINE PRIVACY
The 6 Best Free AI Text to Art Generators to Create an Image From What You Type
JAN 31, 2023
The 6 Best Alternatives to ChatGPT
3 DAYS AGO
 9 Virtual AI Companions to Chat and Have Fun With
FEB 8, 2023
See More
 HOME
 SECURITY

3 Ways Your SIM Card Can Be Hacked

(And How to Protect It)
BYGEORGINA TORBET
UPDATED MAR 22, 2022

Your SIM card is a security risk! Learn how SIM

cards can be hacked and what you can do to
protect your phone.
Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our
site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.

With new online threats popping up every day,

you need to stay in the know on new security
loopholes. And since you're reading this, you
probably already know that your smartphone's
operating system needs regular updating to stay
safe from threats.
However, surprisingly, a SIM card can also be a
source of security vulnerabilities. Here, we'll
show you some ways hackers can use SIM
cards to gain access to devices—along with
providing advice on how to keep your SIM card
safe.

1. Simjacker
In September 2019, security researchers
at AdaptiveMobile Security announced they had
discovered a new security vulnerability they
called Simjacker. This complex attack carries out
SIM card hacking by sending a piece of
spyware-like code to a target device using an
SMS message.
If a user opens the message, hackers can use
the code to spy on their calls and messages—
and even track their location.
FREE EMAIL COURSE:LEARN
TO SECURE YOUR
INBOX WITH OUR FREE COURSE
The vulnerability works by using a piece of
software called S@T Browser, which is part of
the SIM Application Toolkit (STK) that many
phone operators use on their SIM cards. The
SIMalliance Toolbox Browser is a way of
accessing the internet—essentially, it's a basic
web browser that lets service providers interact
with web applications like email.
However, now that most people use a browser
like Chrome or Firefox on their device, the S@T
Browser is rarely used. The software is still
installed on many devices, though, leaving them
vulnerable to the Simjacker attack.
The researchers believe this attack has been
used in multiple countries, specifying that the
S@T protocol is "used by mobile operators in at
least 30 countries whose cumulative population
adds up to over a billion people," primarily in the
Middle East, Asia, North Africa, and Eastern
Europe.
They also believed the exploit was developed
and used by a specific private company, which
was working with various governments to
monitor specific demographics—such as
journalists and activists.
All kinds of phones are vulnerable, including both
iPhones and Android devices. Simjacker even
works on embedded SIM cards (eSIMs).

2. SIM Card Swapping

Another SIM card security issue you may have
heard of is SIM card swapping. Hackers used a
variation of this technique to take over Twitter
CEO Jack Dorsey's personal Twitter account in
August 2019. This event raised awareness of
how these attacks can be destructive. The
technique uses trickery and social engineering,
rather than technical vulnerabilities.
To perform a SIM card hacking through a SIM
card swap, a hacker will first call up your phone
provider. They'll pretend to be you and ask for a
replacement SIM card. They'll say they want to
upgrade to a new device and, therefore, need a
new SIM. If they are successful, the phone
provider will send them the SIM.
Then, they can steal your phone number and link
it to their own device. All without removing your
SIM card!
This has two effects. First, your real SIM card will
get deactivated and stop working. And secondly,
the hacker now has control over phone calls,
messages, and two-factor authentication
requests sent to your phone number. This
means they could have enough information to
access your accounts, and could lock you out of
those too.
SIM card swapping is hard to protect against as
it involves social engineering. Hackers must
convince a customer support agent that they are
you. Once they have your SIM, they have control
over your phone number. And you may not even
know you're a target until it's too late.

3. SIM Cloning
Many times, people try to put SIM swapping and
SIM cloning under that same umbrella. However,
SIM cloning is more hands-on than the other
option.
In a SIM clone attack, the hacker first gains
physical access to your SIM card and then
creates a copy of the original. Naturally, for
copying your SIM card, the hacker will first take
out your SIM from the smartphone.
They do this with the help of a smart card
copying software, which copies the unique
identifier number—assigned to you on your SIM
card—onto their blank SIM card.
The hacker will then insert the newly copied SIM
card into their smartphone. Once this process is
complete, consider your unique SIM card identity
to be as good as gone.
Now, the hacker can snoop in on all the
communications that are sent to your phone—
just as they can in SIM swapping. This means
they also have access to your two-factor
authentication codes, which will let them hack
into your social media accounts, email
addresses, card and bank accounts, and more.
Hackers can also use your stolen SIM card
identity to carry out scams where a unique
phone number might be needed.

How to Keep Your SIM

Card Safe
If you want to protect your SIM card against
attacks like these, thankfully there are some
precautions that you can take.
1. Protect Against Socially
Engineered Attacks
To protect against SIM card swaps, make it hard
for hackers to find information about you.
Hackers will use data they find about you online,
such as names of friends and family or your
address. This information will make it easier to
convince a customer support agent that they are
you.
Try to lock down this information by setting your
Facebook profile to friends-only and limiting the
public information you share on other sites. Also,
remember to delete old accounts you no longer
use, to prevent them being the target of a hack.
Another way to protect against SIM card swaps
is to be on the lookout for phishing. Hackers may
try to phish out information from you that they
can later use to copy your SIM. Be alert for
suspicious emails or login pages. Moreover, be
careful where you enter your login details for any
account you use.
Finally, consider what methods of two-factor
authentication you use. Some two-factor
authentication services will send an SMS
message to your device with an authentication
code. This means that if your SIM is
compromised, hackers can access your
accounts even if you have two-factor
authentication on.
Instead, use another authentication method like
the Google Authentication app. This way, the
authentication is tied to your device and not your
phone number—making it more secure against
SIM card swaps.

2. Set a SIM Card Lock

To protect against SIM attacks, you should also
set up some protections on your SIM card. The
most important security measure you can
implement is to add a PIN code. This way, if
anyone wants to modify your SIM card, they
need the PIN code.
Before you set up a SIM card lock, you should
ensure you know the PIN given to you by your
network provider. To set it up, on an Android
device, go to Settings > Lock screen and
security > Other security settings > Set up
SIM card lock. Then, you can enable the slider
for Lock SIM card.
On an iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > SIM
PIN. On an iPad, go to Settings > Mobile Data
> SIM PIN. Then enter your existing PIN to
confirm, and the SIM lock will be activated.

3. Other Security Tips

As always, you should use strong and
individually generated passwords. Don't reuse
old passwords or use the same password on
multiple accounts.
Also, make sure your answers to password
recovery questions aren't publicly available—
such as your mother's maiden name.