Was the Verizon outage a cyberattack?
Asked by: Verna Ortiz | Last update: January 28, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (48 votes)
No, the major Verizon outage in January 2026 was not a cyberattack; Verizon confirmed it was caused by a software issue, likely related to a failed update or internal network problem, with law enforcement ruling out a cyberattack after investigations. While the specific details remain somewhat vague, the company stated there was no indication of a cybersecurity breach, and the problem was resolved, with affected customers expected to receive account credits.
Is the Verizon outage a cyber attack?
Verizon has confirmed that the extreme service outage was not caused by a cybersecurity breach but was some kind of software problem.
What was the Verizon outage caused by?
A Verizon spokesperson told USA TODAY that the outage was tied to a software issue and the company is "conducting a full review of what happened." The company said it did not have any indication that a cyberattack could be the cause.
Where were Verizon outages?
The locations experiencing outages were scattered around much of the country, with Downdetector showing the most reports coming from New York City, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Dallas, and Ashburn.
Why is the Verizon network on SOS?
Your Verizon phone shows "SOS" because it can't connect to the regular cellular network but can still make emergency calls (like 911) through other carriers or satellite (on newer iPhones). This usually happens due to a network outage, service disruption, or being in a remote area, meaning no normal calls or texts, but emergency services are accessible. You might need to wait for the network to restore, toggle Airplane Mode, or check for outages in your area.
Was the Verizon Outage a Cyberattack? New Details Explained
Why do I suddenly have no service with Verizon?
If you suddenly have no Verizon service, first restart your phone, then check for local outages on the Verizon website or by contacting support, ensure Airplane Mode is off, check your SIM card, and try resetting network settings on your device for a quick fix. Issues can range from simple settings to network congestion or outages, requiring steps like updating software, removing cases, or contacting Verizon for account/SIM issues.
What does *228 do to a Verizon phone?
On Verizon (and other CDMA carriers), dialing \*228 was a service code used on older 3G phones to manually update the Preferred Roaming List (PRL), which tells the phone which cell towers to connect to for optimal service, essentially "reprogramming" the phone to the network, but it's obsolete for modern 4G/5G devices where this happens automatically or via SIM card updates.
Why are so many customers leaving Verizon?
People are leaving Verizon primarily due to rising costs (price hikes and cuts in discounts), poor customer service, a perceived lack of value compared to competitors, and less attractive perks, pushing them towards more affordable options like MVNOs (Mint, Visible) or other major carriers. Factors include high single-line plan costs, frustrating interactions with understaffed support, and competitors offering better deals, leading to significant customer churn despite Verizon's strong network, as detailed in their late 2024/early 2025 earnings reports.
Will Verizon compensate for the outage?
Following a major nationwide outage in January 2026, Verizon offered affected customers a $20 account credit, redeemable through the myVerizon app or verizon.com/account, with specific instructions sent via text. While some users reported successful claims, others experienced frustration with the process, as the credit is per account, not per line, and requires manual redemption, though some customers reported successfully negotiating higher credits by calling support.
How long until Verizon service is restored?
Verizon service restoration time varies significantly, often taking within an hour after paying a past-due bill or reconnecting via the app, but can range from minutes to several hours or even days for major outages or complex issues like tower damage, while device-specific issues might take up to 24 hours.
Is there a class action lawsuit against Verizon Wireless?
Yes, Verizon has had several class-action lawsuits, most notably a major $100 million settlement in 2024-2025 over undisclosed administrative fees on postpaid accounts, where eligible customers received payments (often $5-$100) in 2025. Another lawsuit alleges Verizon sold customer data (browsing, location) without consent, and another settled for employees over commissions. Payments for the admin fee settlement have mostly gone out, but new legal actions, like the data sale one, are ongoing.
Why are calls failing with Verizon?
Verizon call failures often stem from poor signal, network congestion, account issues (like restrictions or incomplete transfers), or phone settings (like Wi-Fi Calling or Airplane Mode), with solutions involving restarting your device, checking your coverage/outages, updating software, resetting network settings, or even replacing a SIM card.
What does *57 do on a cell phone Verizon?
*57 on Verizon (and other carriers) activates Call Trace, a feature for landlines and some VoIP services used immediately after a harassing, obscene, or threatening call to flag the last incoming number for law enforcement, not for you to see the number directly, requiring you to contact police for details. It's for serious situations, often used with landlines or Fios, and while there's usually no direct charge for dialing it, it's for legitimate legal use and not for casual blocked number tracing.
How much money will I get from the Verizon settlement?
You get a base of $15 plus $1 per month you paid the disputed administrative fees, capped at $100, but your actual payment is reduced by how many people filed claims and by legal/admin costs, meaning many received much less (some under $15), though payments are being distributed now via Zelle, PayPal, or check for eligible customers from early 2016 to late 2023.
Is the USA under a cyber attack?
Yes, the U.S. is continuously under various cyber attacks from nation-states, criminal groups, and hacktivists, targeting government agencies, critical infrastructure (energy, finance, healthcare), and private businesses with espionage, data theft, and disruption campaigns, with recent alerts highlighting threats from China, Iran, and Russia. While not a physical invasion, these stealthy, persistent digital attacks are a significant, ongoing threat, as confirmed by U.S. agencies like CISA and the FBI, with millions of incidents reported annually.
How to claim the $20 credit from Verizon?
You can go to Verizon. com and claim the credit in your account that way. Alternatively, you could use the My Verizon app to claim the credit. It's going to look something like this inside the app when you go to redeem it.
Did Verizon say what caused the outage?
It did say that the problem was a "software issue" and that there was no indication of a "cybersecurity issue" in a statement to Mashable Thursday morning. The loss in service was unique for its longevity. Unlike previous cellular outages, this one wasn't region-specific and affected users across the US.
How many Verizon customers were affected by the outage?
The widespread outage that impacted more than 1.5 million Verizon wireless customers ended late Wednesday, concluding an over seven-hour service interruption. "Today, we let many of our customers down and for that, we are truly sorry," the company said.
How much is the Verizon 55+ plan for seniors?
Verizon's 55+ plan (Florida-specific) offers discounts on the Unlimited Welcome plan, starting around $45/month for one line or $80/month for two lines, including taxes & fees with AutoPay, providing unlimited talk, text, and data with a 3-year price lock; standard pricing without the 55+ discount would be higher.
Who is Verizon merging with?
Verizon agreed to acquire Frontier for $9.6 billion in September 2024, but the path to completing the deal has been fraught. Last year it won Federal Communications Commission approval after pledging to roll back some diversity policies.
Is Verizon in decline?
In Verizon's third-quarter earnings report for 2025, the company reported a loss of 7,000 postpaid phone customers during the quarter, with churn reaching 0.91%. This loss is a significant concern, since during the same quarter last year, the phone carrier attracted 18,000 new postpaid phone customers.
What does *77 do on Verizon?
On Verizon, dialing \*77 activates Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR), a feature for home phone (POTS/Fios) that blocks calls from people who hide their caller ID (dial *67) and sends them a message to unblock their number for the call to go through; however, it won't block unknown/unavailable calls from telemarketers or collection agencies, for which you need other services like Call Filter or Do Not Disturb.
How to get Verizon to lower your cell phone bill?
Enroll in Autopay and Paper-Free Billing:
Verizon offers up to $10 off per month, per line when you set up Autopay and paper-free billing using a checking account or Verizon Visa card.
Does *67 still work with Verizon?
Block Caller ID using your Verizon app or *67 to protect your privacy.