My number sent coded gibberish to a bunch of unknown numbers on a single day without me knowing about it at all. I couldn’t find much help from online sources or chatGPT. Can anyone tell me if I should worry?

Understanding Unexplained Outgoing Messages from Your Mobile Phone: A Guide for Concerned Users

In today’s digital age, our smartphones are essential tools for communication and personal management. However, they can sometimes exhibit suspicious behaviors that cause concern. Recently, a user shared an experience involving their mobile device sending coded messages to unknown numbers without their knowledge. This situation underscores the importance of understanding potential security threats and knowing how to respond effectively.

The Incident: Unintentional Outgoing Messages

The user described a scenario where, after updating their Aadhaar card—which required changing their phone number—they noticed that their device sent multiple encrypted or gibberish messages to several unknown contacts. The messages contained fragments like “JP+&”!KlneHJwk+@££÷Jj” along with references to “SBI” and “UPI,” which are associated with Indian banking and digital payment systems.

The timing and content of these messages raised immediate suspicion. The user rightly took screenshots of the messages and consulted both AI-based tools and online communities for guidance, both of which indicated possible security concerns such as malware, unauthorized app permissions, or sophisticated scams like SIM cloning.

Potential Causes and Risks

Based on expert advice, there are several possibilities for such behavior:

• Malware or Spyware: Malicious software that infiltrates your device, possibly sending messages without your consent.

• Unauthorized App Permissions: Apps with access to messaging functions might trigger automatic message sending.

• SIM Cloning or Spoofing: Criminals may clone your SIM card or spoof your number to carry out fraudulent activities.

• Phishing or System Exploits: External attacks leveraging vulnerabilities in your device or network.

Furthermore, the references within messages to banking entities (such as SBI and UPI) could indicate attempted fraud or scam activity, possibly aimed at intercepting personal banking information.

Immediate Response Steps

Upon noticing such activity, users should consider the following actions:

1. Stop Using the Device for Sensitive Transactions: Avoid entering banking details or personal information until the issue is resolved.

2. Contact Your Mobile Service Provider:

3. Inform them of the suspicious activity.
4. Request a SIM card review to check for cloning or unauthorized access.

5. Ask for a SIM swap or block if necessary.

6. Run a Security Scan:

7. Install reputable malware detection apps.

8. Remove any suspicious applications.

9. **Update Device Software: