Six Steps to Protect your Smartphone from Hackers

With tales of phone hacking making their way into the news cycle recently, improving online and mobile security is once again at the top of everyone’s to-do list. Phone hacking can involve hacking into your voicemail, your live conversations, or the data stored on your phone. Malicious phone hacking software can gather your bank account details, personal emails, or other sensitive information. If you use your smartphone for banking, ecommerce, or even just to trade personal messages and photos with friends, you may want to think about boosting your security. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your data.

1. Download mobile security apps.

One of the easiest ways to protect your phone is to download the latest versions of anti-virus and anti-spyware apps. Many of these are free, and they can protect your phone from malicious third party-apps. Lookout is a free app that allows you to back up your contact data, remotely wipe your phone in the event of theft, and safeguards the device against spyware, ransomware and viruses. Another option is avast! SecureLine VPN, which is known for its anti-virus software. It provides a free app to detect and prevent viruses, helping filter calls and texts and providing a firewall.

2. Change your passwords regularly.

If you access password-protected accounts using your phone, you need to choose strong passwords and keep them updated. The best passwords combine a unique combination of characters, letters, and numbers, with no relevance to your personal life that hackers could exploit. Use different passwords for each account, and make them as lengthy as possible. Naturally, this makes them quite hard to remember so you can also download a password storage app like LastPass, or keep them written down using old-fashioned pen and paper.

3. Enable phone-finding features.

If your phone is lost or stolen, you run the risk of it being found and hacked. Some security apps provide phone tracking features, and iPhone users can enable the Find My iPhone feature in their settings to locate the phone immediately. You can also lock or wipe your phone remotely by blocking its 15-digit IMEI.

4. Avoid unprotected networks.

You probably already avoid doing your online banking when using public WiFi, but it’s also a good idea to avoid using Bluetooth networks that are unprotected. If you’re not using your phone’s Bluetooth service, keep this feature turned off for safety. It’s also a good idea to stay aware of the networks your phone uses in general, whether that’s a GSM network with Nokia Networks or an LTE network. Some may be more vulnerable than others, so always find a trusted network.

5. Update your operating system.

It’s a common misconception that brand new mobile devices will always come fully loaded with the latest operating system. However, weeks or even months can elapse between manufacturing and distribution, so your phone may be due for an upgrade to the system right out of the box. Before you start downloading apps, take the time to install the latest operating system, which can help prevent malware.

6. Be aware of suspicious behaviour.

Finally, be aware of your phone’s usual behaviour. If the battery starts draining rapidly, apps seem to open and close at random, or you notice charges on your phone bill for SMS text messages you didn’t send, these are all signs that something is up.

By taking a few precautions, you can greatly reduce your phone’s vulnerability to hackers and protect sensitive information.