It’s possible to say that the majority of users carry their phones all the time including the bathroom. They also have a wealth of personal information, documents pictures, and acces to personal accounts as well as banking apps.
Don’t think that there aren’t criminals who wouldn’t take the chance to hack into your computer. Don’t be fooled into thinking that there’s nothing to take because they’ll be able to discover something. In the simplest sense, it wouldn’t be enjoyable if your private photos were released at all.
Apple phones might be able to enjoy this (not fully justified) reputation as being more secure, however Android phones can actually be extremely safe, too. However, we advise you to ensure that your device isn’t infected with malware. It’s all about the manner in which users make use of their phones. There are many actions one can take to ensure that your Android phones are safe. Some of them are quick and simple while others take longer, but it is important to remember that every step adds another layer of security.
The Growing Cyber Security Threat
A lot of attention tends to be on the large corporate systems and personal computers when talking about cyber-attacks. IoT devices are being often mentioned. Smartphones are among the most targeted devices in the world and attacks have slowly increasing in size and the sophistication.
The Kaspersky Security Network alone detected over 1 million malicious installers who tried to worm into mobile devices during the second quarter of 2020. Of these, 38,951 malware packages specifically targeted banking on smartphones. Mobile users also are susceptible to cyber-attacks which allow hackers to hack their connection and redirect them from genuine sites to fake ones, without their consent.
Of of course, social engineering remains a major risk, as people use their mobile phones to send emails – and SMS-based trojans are in the news. There’s been an enormous rise in phishing attempts through social media such as Facebook Messenger as well as Twitter DMs too.
10 Easy Tips to Protect Your Phone From Hackers in 2022
1. Use a VPN and Antivirus
Android and iOS have a decent amount of security built-in, however you’ll be protected against hackers when you pair with a VPN together with an antivirus.
While VPN and antivirus offer an extensive level of security but having both on your smartphone will give you the greatest results. A VPN safeguards you by hiding your IP address, and also encrypting all data transmitted to and to your device. If it downloads a file that is infected by malware or viruses, an antivirus will be able to detect and stop malware from causing harm to phones (although it does not provide any kind of encryption).
There’s no doubt that the top VPNs in 2022. They all have sophisticated encryption and protection features that include high-end encryption, the kill switch, and leak protection. Top VPNs will also feature strict privacy policies that guarantees that your personal data is not monitored, gathered or shared with third-party companies.
You can connect to any of their high-speed networks of more than 3000 servers across 94 countries to protect your phone’s online traffic from hackers.
In the course of testing, ExpressVPN’s servers also worked with streaming applications such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Additionally, ExpressVPN is one of the only VPNs to function during tests conducted on the ground in China. You can be confident that your personal information is protected as well -as I ran several leak tests against its servers and ExpressVPN did well in all of them. Additionally it has requested independent audits to support its privacy and security claims.
Each plan comes with 30 days of money-back assurance which means you have the chance to test every feature for 30 days on either Android as well as iPhone. If you’re not completely satisfied you’ll get an entire refund. I tried it for myself by requesting the refund through live chat. Contrary to other VPN services that I have tried, the support rep did not press me to stay or even ask me any additional questions. The refund process was completed within minutes, and the money was went to my account just 5 days.
2. Keep Your OS and Apps Updated (and Remove Old Apps)
It may be an obvious thing to do, but it’s worth not being forgotten: keep your phone’s software and OS up-to date. In addition to the latest capabilities, Android and iOS regularly issue security fixes essential to the user with security updates that protect users from various vulnerabilities.
You can go further and enable auto-updates to make sure you’re never missing an update. If your phone is old I can understand needing to download a fresh software update, since this can affect the performance of your phone. But, I’d rather take an improvement in performance over a compromised phone any day.
3. Only Download Apps From Trusted Sources
Mobile apps may access lots of personal information and therefore it’s essential that you install only reputable apps to your mobile device.
The easiest method to do this is to begin from the beginning. You should only download applications that are through the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or another trusted platform. Every app that is available within the Google Play Store or Apple App Store must satisfy certain security standards before they are accepted and is checked to make sure there isn’t any malware in them.
If you’re unsure regarding an app you’ve downloaded, make use of a reputable antivirus program like Norton 360 to check your device for threats like malware and other. Norton provides real-time as well as manual scans that check for security threats, meaning you’ll know when to stop any suspicious application before it invades your privacy.
4. Use a Complex Passcode (And Avoid Biometric Security)
Contrary to what manufacturers of phones will have you believe, biometrics like fingerprint and facial scanners aren’t a reliable method of securing phones. Instead, you should use a traditional PIN or password since hackers have devised various methods of avoiding biometrics (including simple hacks like the notorious 2019 hack which allowed users to disable fingerprint scanners on a range different Samsung Galaxy phones using only the screen protector of a third-party).
It’s true that there aren’t all passwords created in the same way. While it’s more secure to have a password/PIN rather over none, you can significantly improve your security by choosing the right password. Make sure you have minimum 16-20 characters, with the use of both lower and uppercase letters, symbols, and numbers. This is not just to your phone’s password however, for any account you own.
Here are some additional ways to boost the security of passwords:
- Make sure you change your password each 6-12 month in addition to whenever you learn of an incident involving data breaches related to a service that you use.
- Deleting “Smart Lock” or any other feature that prevents your device from being locked in specific areas or when you connect a Bluetooth devices is in use.
- Do not answer security questions in a straight-forward manner. Instead, think of it as an extra password and make use of numbers and letters in your answers.
- Allow “Lockdown Mode” on your Android device, which blocks biometric and smart-unlock techniques (PIN and password will be able to work).
5. Learn How to Lock or Wipe Your Phone Remotely
Google’s Find My iPhone and Android’s Find My Device are location-tracking features created to assist you locate your device in the event of it being stolen or lost.
But these apps surpass the simple tracking of devices because they can be configured to secure your phone and wipe all data from it to keep thieves out of your personal information.
6. Be Careful When Granting App Permissions
Even if your apps from reliable storefronts such as Google Play or the App Store, that does not mean that every app can trust your information.
It is possible to take additional steps to safeguard yourself from the app’s use of your data. Many apps will require access to data such as your location, pictures or contacts, among others.
Although granting these permissions might appear harmless, it could be a privacy risk in the future in the event that the app ever be compromised by hackers or compromised.
If you find an app that makes suspicious permission requests, you should deny any requests and then submit an app store to make an official complaint.
7. Don’t Jailbreak Your Phone
Rooting or jailbreaking your phone is tempting, particularly when you own an iOS-based phone. This method of bypassing your phone’s operating system allows you to install all kinds of apps that aren’t authorized by Apple and can even change wireless service providers. However, jailbreaking comes with significant security dangers that could expose you to threats from hackers and other types of attacks.
One thing to note is that getting access to Google or Apple’s official security updates could become more difficult because installing them can disable the jailbreak. Also, you’ll need to ensure that you’re able to trust the apps you install, since they’ll have access to your phone once installed.
There are certain advantages for jailbreaking your phone it’s definitely not a good option if you are concerned much about your privacy and security online.
8. Beware of Spam and Phishing Emails
While your email provider’s spam folder will be able to catch many types of threats, this can’t keep them all from getting to your inbox. Here are some ways to protect yourself from email scams and phishing:
- If an email appears suspicious be wary of opening it even though the process to open an email may not be danger-free, it may nonetheless provide information about you to spammers, including you IP address, your ISP address, approximate location in the world and much other details.
- Never click an untrustworthy link within an email If you open an infected email then the best thing to do is erase it right away and stay clear of clicking on any attachments or links. These links may contain malware or viruses. files.
- Note all suspicious emails as junk or spam This can help to train your email service’s detection software to be able to recognize suspicious emails in the future.
If you click on an hyperlink or click on an email attachment that you suspect is suspicious ensure that you make sure to immediately check your phone using antivirus software. Norton Mobile Security for iOS and Android will scan all applications that are installed on your device, and will remove all spyware, viruses or other threats it comes across.
9. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication, also known as 2FA, is among the most simple and most efficient security tools to your disposal. Like its name suggests, 2FA is an additional security feature for online accounts that requires users to supply additional information following the input of the username or password.
Any type of 2FA security is better than none, however every method is not to be equal. To ensure the highest level of security, make use of a token-based system like Google Authenticator, which generates a time-based, one-time passcode. Be sure to stay clear of the use of SMS text messages or 2FA using voice, since these methods aren’t as secure and could be taken advantage of by hackers.
Once you’ve established 2FA for the online account, you must seriously consider pairing it with a reliable VPN.
10. Keep Your Phone With You At All Times.
While hackers are able to access the phone from afar, one of the most efficient ways for them to gain access to your phone is via physically access. It’s easy to stop someone from taking your phone by making sure you carry it with you when you’re out of your home.
Hackers require just an hour to hack into your phone. Therefore, keeping it in public areas is not a wise decision. Sure, accidents can occur but prevention is the best way to ensure. As long as you’ve heeded the other suggestions in this checklist, your personal information will be safe even in the event that a cybercriminal gets access to your phone.
FAQ: Protect Your Phone From Getting Hacked
How do I know when someone has hacked my phone?
It’s sometimes difficult to know if your smartphone was hacked, however, there are some indicators to look out for:
- Apps are often opened on their own
You see something you do not recognize on your smartphone for example, an app that you didn’t download or a purchase that you didn’t make. - The phone’s performance suddenly drops as battery capacity gets diminished (malware can seriously draw your phone’s battery).
- Pop-ups pop-up in your browser (typically signify malware or spyware in your computer).
How do I eliminate the hacker from my phone?
If you believe that your phone is infected, change your passwords and remove any suspicious applications and then immediately perform a virus scanner.