TAMPA, Fla. – The FBI is urging Americans to use encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal after officials called one of the largest intelligence breaches in U.S. history.

The Federal Communications Commission said Chinese cybercriminals were behind an alleged cyber espionage act nicknamed “Salt Typhoon.” Officials said the cybercriminals hacked T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and Lumen Technologies to spy on customers and obtain information.

Officials are still investigating the extent of what they describe as a widespread attack.

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They said text messaging between iPhones and Android devices is particularly vulnerable.

It’s not just text messages that the cybercriminals can get hold of, officials said. You can also access call recordings that show the numbers called and when, and access phone calls yourself.

Close-up of a man holding a smartphone over a kitchen counter. (Photo by Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images)

“If it’s not an encrypted phone call, they can actually hear what you’re saying,” said Eric Franklin of Scarlett Cybersecurity Group. “It’s kind of scary that we have these devices that we use day in and day out, and a lot of people are just unaware of some of the basics of not talking about certain things on the phone or not sending specific information through your cell phone.”

Google Message and iMessage can also encrypt calls and text messages. To protect yourself, experts recommend that you also have the latest software update on your phone. They say that you shouldn’t send confidential information that you don’t want others to have access to.

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