Despite the best efforts of both Apple and Google, hackers continue to come up with clever new ways to hack our smartphones. from malicious app to banking trojan and spywarethere are all sorts of different tools, techniques, and tactics in a hacker’s arsenal.
stay safe from Phishing attack and impersonation fraud While you should always be vigilant online, especially when checking your inbox and messages, bad apps can be a pain in the ass by checking ratings and reviews to see if they’re actually doing what they’re supposed to do. It can be avoided. Similarly, if you have an Android smartphone, avoid doing the following: Sideloading apps This is because the APK files used for installation may contain malware. This is because they don’t go through the same rigorous security checks as apps from official app stores.
However, even if you practice good cyber hygiene, avoid clicking on links from unknown senders. VPN When connected to Public Wi-Fithere are still ways for hackers to compromise your device.
However, to keep your devices safe, the National Security Agency issued a warning several years ago that still applies today. This simple practice best iphone and best android smartphones Protected from hackers.
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There are many different steps you can take to protect yourself and your devices online. Mobile device best practice guide Recently resurfaced online, forbesthe NSA sheds light on something that seems so obvious that everyone should.
You probably shut down and restart your laptop or desktop computer quite often, but when was the last time you shut it down on your phone? Probably not recently. You might want to add regularly restarting your phone to your list of things you need to do to stay safe online.
in blog postcybersecurity firm Checkpoint, highlights the following dangers: zero click exploit. This is different from typical malware that requires some kind of user interaction, such as a click. malicious link Alternatively, if you download a compromised app, a zero-click exploit can infect your smartphone without you having to do anything. For example, hackers can send specially crafted messages or images that can infect your phone without you opening it.
Many zero-click exploits are Zero-day vulnerabilities Those that have not yet been patched by the device manufacturer. infamous NSO Groupdeveloped Pegasus spywareis known for discovering and weaponizing zero-click vulnerabilities in both iOS and Android to spy on high-value targets such as CEOs and politicians.
In addition to updating your device frequently and installing the latest patches as soon as they’re available, restarting your smartphone is an easy and This is an effective method. While it’s not a foolproof defense, the NSA says it can sometimes prevent this type of attack from succeeding.
So how often should you restart your iPhone or Android smartphone? A good rule of thumb to restart your device is at least once a week. You can also set this automatically, but best samsung mobile phone or best OnePlus phonesyou can always set a reminder on your calendar or restart your phone on a specific day every week to make sure you don’t forget. Similarly, on your iPhone you can: Create an automation Your device will restart at the time you selected.
How to protect your iPhone or Android smartphone from hackers
Restarting your phone at least once a week is one of the lesser-known ways to protect yourself from hackers. However, there are some tips and tricks that we haven’t mentioned yet.
If you’re using an Android smartphone, check the following: Google Play Protect It’s enabled because it scans all your existing apps and any new apps you download for malware. It’s free and comes pre-installed on most Android smartphones. However, if you want a little extra protection, you should consider using one of the best Android antivirus apps along with it. Many of them include VPN and password manager.
When it comes to protecting your iPhone from malware, things get a little more complicated. Apple prohibits iOS apps from scanning for malware, so you’ll need to use one of the following: Best Mac antivirus software solution instead. both Intego Mac Internet Security X9 and Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 You can scan your iPhone or iPad for malware, but there are caveats. You must connect your device to your Mac using a USB cable.
Smartphones store a large amount of sensitive personal and financial information, making them a prime target for hackers. You can avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime or having your iPhone or Android smartphone hacked by proactively and promptly installing the latest updates and being extra careful online.
