5 Precautions to Prevent Voicemail System Hacking

In today’s digital world, we rely on technology for almost everything. And our dependence comes with cyber risk. 

One of them is voicemail system hacking. You might think it’s not a big deal or happens only in movies, but it’s an absolute fact. Hackers are finding millions of ways to hack, breach data, or attack technology systems. They steal your personal information, commit fraud, or mimic you.

Voicemail system hacking can lead to financial losses or damage to the reputation of a business. But you can protect yourself by learning how voicemail hacking works and by taking simple precautions to secure your voicemail platform. 

What is Voicemail Hacking? 

Voicemail hacking is defined as unauthorized access to one’s voicemail account. By this, the hacker is able to delete, listen to, or even exploit messages from hacked voicemail systems. 

This involves listening to messages without the account holder’s knowledge by hacking into weak points in the voicemail system. 

Most voicemail systems allow remote access for users who wish to check their voice messages or revise their greetings. To do this, you can call your own mobile number and type a PIN or password when you reach the voicemail. 

Attackers can perform illegal activity using various methods, such as social engineering techniques, which trick individuals into divulging personal information, or by exploiting voicemail systems that use weak or default PINs.

Voicemail system hacking involves guessing voicemail passwords or PINs or discovering a way around it. This alarming breach allows unauthorized individuals to listen to stored messages, which could include sensitive personal or business information. 

How do Hackers Gain Access to Your Voicemail? 

A hacker tries to exploit your voicemail by guessing pins, passwords, or combinations to gain access to the system. The voicemail boxes may still have the default pins and passwords, so hackers can easily hack into your voicemail system. 

Hackers break into voicemail systems to steal personal or financial details or access your accounts by intercepting two-factor authentication codes. 

They can alter voicemail account settings, changing outgoing messages to receive expensive international collect calls. They can also utilize the call-forwarding feature to send calls to international numbers and make unauthorized calls using your account.

Things You Should Know: 

• Hackers break into business voicemail systems during holidays or weekends when businesses are not cautious. 
• Hackers are usually international, with calls from different countries around the world.
• In international call scams, businesses won’t know they are hacked until the phone company reports it. 
• Hackers can rack up high phone bills. 
• Hackers can change voicemail greetings to intercept calls or information. 

How to Tell if Your Voicemail Has Been Hacked?

If you think your voicemail has been hacked, then watch out for these signs:

1. Unexpected Voicemail Messages, Unsolicited Texts or Emails
   If you receive strange or unfamiliar voicemail messages, it could be a sign that someone else is accessing your account.
2. Voicemail Password Changes
   If your voicemail password has been changed without your knowledge, it’s a clear sign that your voicemail might have been hacked.
3. Unusual Activity or Calls
   Notice any unfamiliar incoming or outgoing calls from your voicemail? Hackers may use your system to make calls or forward messages.
4. Unexplained Phone Bill Charges
   If your phone bill suddenly has unexpected international or long-distance charges, hackers may have been using your voicemail system to make unauthorized calls.
5. Voicemail Is Full, but You Didn’t Fill It
   If your voicemail inbox suddenly shows as full without you receiving many messages, hackers might be using it to store their own messages or fill it with spam.
6. Unusual Outgoing Messages
   If you hear a different voicemail greeting than the one you set, hackers may have changed it to redirect calls or impersonate you.
7. Unfamiliar Phone Numbers in Voicemail Inbox
   If you see unknown phone numbers in your voicemail inbox, especially from international or unusual locations, it’s a red flag.
8. Two-Factor Authentication Alerts
   If you receive notifications about two-factor authentication attempts that you didn’t make, hackers may be intercepting codes sent to your voicemail.
9. Slower Phone Performance
   If your phone starts acting slow or behaving strangely, it could be due to malicious software running in the background, which might be linked to a compromised voicemail system. 

Precautions to Prevent Voicemail System Hacking Scheme

1. Create a Strong and Unique PIN

The first step towards protecting your voicemail starts with a strong PIN. We usually put default passwords like “0000” or “1234” which are way too easy for hackers to guess. So change your PIN to something random and at least six digits long. Do not use obvious passwords like your birthday or phone number. 

Updating your PIN regularly is just as important. Set a reminder to change it every few months. 

2. Turn On Two-Factor Authentication

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra protection. With 2FA, you’ll need a second form of ID sent to your phone system to access your voicemail. Even if someone guesses your PIN, they can’t access it without that code.

This extra layer of security helps protect not just your voicemail but any accounts linked to it, like banking or social media.

3. Disable Remote Access (If You Don’t Need It)

Sure, remote access sounds handy, but it’s also a typical tactic for hackers. So, if you don’t really need it, turn it off. Ask your phone provider to disable it. Because disabling remote access, if not required, adds an extra layer of security. 

4. Keep an Eye on Your Voicemail Settings

Hackers can change your voicemail settings, like changing your voicemail greeting or turning on call forwarding. So, it’s a great idea to check your settings from time to time. Check if there are any alterations to your voicemail greeting or settings. 

If you think your voicemail system is hacked or notice anything unusual, then update your PIN and let your phone system provider know. 

5. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Voicemail

We love free public Wi-Fi, dont we? But it’s very risky. We should never use public wifi to access our sensitive information or systems like voicemail or bank accounts because public wifi is very easy to exploit. 

So always stick to trusted networks and keep your private messages private! It’s an easy habit that can go a long way toward keeping hackers out. 

How to Set Up Voicemail Using an in-built Phone app?

Configuring your voicemail is quite simple. However, the setup process might differ slightly depending on your telecom service provider and operating system version.

To set up voicemail- Open the mobile app,  access voicemail settings, create a password, record the voicemail, and save settings. 

Setting Up Voice Mail on Android

If you use an Android device, follow the given steps below to set up voicemail on your device using an in-built phone app: 

Step 1: Search for the ‘phone’ app on your mobile.

Step 2: You will see three vertical dots (⋮) in the upper right corner. Click the ‘settings’ option on the phone system app. 

Step 3: Scroll down through the settings panel and click ‘Voice mail.’ 

Step 4: Select ‘Advanced settings’ and navigate to ‘Setup.’

Step 5: Select the “voicemail number” option.

Step 6: Enter a 10-digit voicemail number. 

Step 7: You can now record your voicemail. 

Setting Up Voice Mail on iPhone 

If you are an iOs user, follow the given steps below to set up voicemail on your iPhone with an in-built phone app: 

Step 1: Launch the mobile app and navigate to the voicemail section. 

Step 2: You will see the ‘Set Up Now’ option. 

Step 3: Record your message and set up your voicemail. 

Step 4: Once your message is recorded, your setup is done. 

Conclusion

In voicemail system hacking, cybercriminals take advantage of weak passwords or default settings to sneak into accounts. This can result in serious issues like financial loss, identity theft, and harm to your reputation. 

Whether you are an individual person or a business, having a voicemail system will be beneficial for you. And if you think that your voicemail system is hacked then inform your telecom service provider immediately. 

Also, if you are a business, then you can also get the voicemail feature while purchasing secondary numbers with Dialaxy. You won’t need to set up the voicemail yourself. Dialaxy allows you to set up the system with a single click. 

FAQs

Can you get hacked by listening to a voicemail?

No, you cannot get hacked by listening to a voicemail. Voicemail systems are generally safe since they don’t transmit any malicious code.

Can my phone be hacked if someone calls me?

No, your phone can not be hacked directly if someone calls you. However, they may try to exploit vulnerabilities or use social engineering tactics to gain your personal information. 

Is it bad to listen to voicemail from an unknown number?

Listening to a voicemail from an unknown number isn’t always a bad thing! However, it’s wise to be cautious, especially if the message seems suspicious or encourages clicking on potentially harmful links. 

Is it possible to be hacked by listening to a voicemail? 

Simply listening to a voicemail itself cannot directly hack your device or transmit a virus. 

How can you get hacked by listening to a voice message? 

While listening alone doesn’t pose a risk, related scenarios such as vishing (voice phishing), malicious links or attachments, and weak voicemail security can lead to hacking attempts.

Can you get a virus from listening to a voicemail? 

No, you cannot get a virus just from listening to a voicemail. However, avoid interacting with any suspicious links or attachments included in voicemails.