Telecom
Fraudsters Target Phone OTA in New Trick
A security expert has warned of possible attacks targeted at mobile phone users via the telecommunication operators Over-The-Air (OTA) settings, so called various methods of distributing new software updates, configuration settings, and even updating encryption keys to devices like cellphones.
Mr. Rock Adoke, head of IT (security & Research), International Electronics Services Limited, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that with the growing trend in e-commerce cumulated in e-payment, e-banking, internet banking, fraudsters are throwing spanners on the OTAs of notable telecommunication companies in Nigeria targeting passwords and other credentials of phone users.
In the context of the mobile content world the programming involves over-the-air service provisioning (OTASP), over-the-air provisioning (OTAP) or over-the-air parameter administration (OTAPA), or provisioning handsets with the necessary settings with which to access services such as WAP or MMS or other internet configurations.
Thus, some phones with this capability are labeled as being “OTA capable.”
“Now, the challenge, let us look at the scenario where you remove the SIM card from your phone and insert it in a new phone, the network operator sends internet settings to you. We are looking at the financial institution (FI) level; when that setting is going on it can be compromised, just like the bulk SMS. There are securities issues with these platforms. Fraudsters can impersonate anybody and send messages using bulk SMS platform. There is why unsolicited messages are rising by the day. When they send it to over a million people, hundred or thereabout respond, they have captured over N100,00 million.
“Back to the settings, there are only four vendors we subscribe to when we want to conduct vulnerability assessment on information systems. SMS gives you the ability for Over-The-Air (OTA) settings; that is what telecom operators send to the subscribers. It is a system that companies use to safeguard against staff using social media while incorporating Bring Your Own Device (BOYD) platform.
The setting allows you have access to the internet at a point in time. What the fraudsters do is to OTA settings which is not more than N300, send out messages to people and they respond in droves. The idea has been that once you see that setting it is from a valid telecom operator, because we use it to browse”.
He said that cyber criminals are cashing on telecom operators over the air positioning space.
“When they have succeeded in setting the proxy account whatever the target is doing will be passing through their channels. That is what they call “over the air positioning exploits”. Let the target use it for any bank transaction, they will see the user name and password through “factor authentication”. These things are real.
He warned about unguided and unsecured channels been deployed for e-commerce related transaction in the country adding when, “You are now encouraging people to use mobile commerce, by the time this goes into full-blown maturity, criminals start conducting sophisticated attacks (because things happen without user interaction), the target does not even know he is compromised. It takes a smart criminal to remove just N1 per day. When your account has been compromised they go to the modification channel and modify the password and your numbers. These are the trends in cyber attacks”.
Google has launched its Search Live feature globally to over 200 countries, including Nigeria, where AI Mode is available, enabling voice-and-camera conversations in users’ preferred languages.
Powered by the new multilingual Gemini 3.1 Flash Live model, it delivers natural, real-time interactions via the Google app on Android or iOS—tap the Live icon under the Search bar.
Ideal for hands-free help, users can speak queries for audio replies, follow-ups, or web links. Camera integration adds visual context, like troubleshooting a shelving unit, or pairs with Google Lens for real-world chats.
From the app or Lens, Nigerians can now explore, learn, or solve tasks instantly, boosting everyday productivity worldwide.
Clean and reliable power for telecom networks in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will be expanded following a $45 million investment by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in IPT PowerTech.
The investment targets countries where limited power supply continues to slow digital connectivity and broader economic participation, the institution stated earlier this week.
To enable this expansion, the IFC is providing a $45 million corporate financing package consisting of an A-loan of $27 million and $18 million in blended finance.
The blended portion is sourced from the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Programme and the IDA20 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility.
The initiative marks the IFC’s first direct infrastructure engagement in Liberia in a decade and in Sierra Leone in six years.
It will help scale solar- and battery-based power systems that reduce reliance on diesel and support greener, more resilient telecom networks.
By improving the quality and stability of power to telecom towers, the initiative will strengthen mobile coverage and ensure that households, schools, health centres, and small businesses can depend on consistent digital services, said the IFC.
The funding supports the modernisation, operation, and maintenance of 2 235 telecom sites across the three nations. More than 90% of these are located in off-grid or weak-grid locations.
With new solar and battery systems powering these sites, mobile networks will experience fewer outages and improved service quality.
Optimising the energy mix is estimated to reduce power costs for operators by up to 30% in Liberia, 26% in Sierra Leone, and 52% in Ethiopia.
This transition is also expected to cut emissions by more than 10 624 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Furthermore, the partnership will promote gender inclusion by expanding opportunities for women in technical, operational, and leadership roles within the sector, says the IFC.
This agreement reflects a shared vision for a greener telecom industry and empowers the company to scale its innovative energy platforms, according to Nabil Haddad, CEO of IPT PowerTech Group.
Reliable and affordable power for telecom networks is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation, said Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC regional director for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
Through this partnership, the institution is supporting a scalable, private sector-led solution that enables mobile operators to reach underserved and fragile communities more sustainably, added Kouassi-Akon.
The project advances the World Bank Group and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Expedier has unveiled “Expedier for Business,” an online pro-banking platform to simplify global payments, multi-currency transactions, and financial operations for expanding companies.
Kingsley Madu
The tool centralizes payments, invoicing, payroll, and treasury into one secure dashboard, tackling challenges like fragmented systems and poor visibility that hinder international scaling.
Kingsley Madu, Co-Founder and CEO of Expedier, said: “African businesses are increasingly global… Expedier for Business was built to simplify how companies manage money across borders while maintaining visibility, control, and compliance.”
Key features include customizable dashboards for payments, invoices, and workflows; support for USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, and more; virtual cards; automated payroll/invoicing; currency swaps; and real-time tracking.
Security measures cover two-factor authentication, KYC/KYB verification, and team access controls.
As cross-border trade and remote work boom in Africa, the platform aids firms dealing with international suppliers, teams, and customers. It is now available for organizations scaling globally.
Anti Graft Agencies Raise Alarm over Rising Crypto-Linked Financial Crimes
NITDA Takes Over National Digital Architecture System
NDIC Insures 99 Percent of Bank Customers
FG Shifting Focus to “Meaningful Connectivity” to Drive Inclusion – Minister
CBN Bars Chronic Loan Defaulters from Accessing Loans
Kaspersky Discovers New Phishing Campaign Exploiting Google Tasks Notifications to Steal Corporate Credentials
Spotify’s Loud & Clear Report Reveals Over ₦60Bn Revenue for Nigerian Artists in 2025
Madonna University Taps Tech Guru Adote for Strategic Board Role
China Threatens to Shut Nigeria’s Satellite Over $11.44m Unpaid Debt
MTN Nigeria Posts Record N1.70 Trillion Pre‑Tax Profit, Declares N20 Dividend for 2025
Telecom3 days agoUS Jury Finds Meta, Google Liable in Landmark Social Media Addiction Case
News3 days agoEU Pumps €290m into Nigeria’s Digital, Health, Agri Sectors
News3 days agoFirm Shares Tips for Updating Your Digital Habits for an AI-driven World
E-Business3 days ago5 Wealth-Building Strategies for Nigerian Women-led Businesses
General News2 days agoNCC to Curb SIM Fraud, Strengthen Digital Security with New Platform
Telecom3 days agoMobile Money Transactions Accounted for $2 trillion in 2025
E-Business3 days agoNigeria, Finland Sign Cybersecurity Pact
General News2 days agoKidnappers Now Use Banks to Collect Ransoms — Expert