The dicussion provides a detailed expert analysis of the Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol, identifying it as a foundational yet profoundly vulnerable component of global telecommunications infrastructure. Built on a legacy assumption of a closed and trusted network, SS7 lacks essential security features like encryption and authentication, making it susceptible to widespread exploitation. The discussion explains how this architectural flaw enables malicious actors to perform location tracking, call and SMS interception, and bypass two-factor authentication (2FA) for financial fraud by abusing legitimate network functions. The analysis concludes with strong recommendations for mitigation, urging telecommunications providers to implement SS7 firewalls and mandating that financial institutions abandon SMS-based 2FA in favor of more secure methods like authenticator apps.