Mobile phones are some of the easiest devices that can make you vulnerable to hacking attacks because all your data are stored or saved on the device directly or indirectly in a way or the other.
No one is immune to hacking attacks. To protect yourself, and your data from hackers, whether online, on the streets or state sponsored spies, you need to follow these steps:
Always install software updates: To protect yourself against hackers, you need to always install software updates as soon as your phone is due for update.
By doing this, you are protected against a huge proportion of successful hacks exploit vulnerabilities that have already been patched; exposing yourself unnecessarily by not installing updates is just daft.
Do not use unofficial tools to root your phone: If you’re an apple user, do not use unofficial tools like jailbreaking on iOS to root your phone unless you know exactly what you’re doing.
On a rooted phone, technical safeguards can be defeated by allowing apps to perform all sorts of actions that are normally prohibited such as snooping on your personal data.
Do not click on all advertisement you see on sites: Most of these advertisement you see online are built to access your data.
Unknowingly to you, once you open the adverts it directly scan through your database. Making it easier to access even if you are no longer on the site you opened.
Company Giveaways link to win prizes: Your friend can send you a link to claim or win a prize from a shopping site or any other site. Out of anxiety, you open as you might be enticed by a flashy prize like the latest iphone or any other gadgets at the time.
To redeem your prize, you might be requested to enter your email address or your phone number which might be attached to your bank details or relevant information.
Make sure that you verify the authenticity of giveaway links before clicking on them.
Be careful of what you install on your phone: some applications are not built for the purpose you download them but rather for hacking.
When you install an application, your phone will pop up a message requesting you to grant the permission to read your files, access your camera or listen in to your microphone.
By granting the application the access, it will indirectly save all information on your device to its system.
Making them have access to perform operations on your behalf from their destination. .
Always lock your phone: Make it hard for intruders/thieves to physically get into your phone as they can cause all sorts of trouble. By always locking your phone when it is not in use, you save yourself from the trouble of hackers who might be close to you.
Make sure your security lock is more than one like using a password and a facial recognition or password and finger print.
A determined thief can copy your lock either by mastering your code or copying your fingerprints from a drinking glass, or even tricking a camera with a photograph of you. But it is usually impossible for the intruder to access your two security locks.
Have plans to track and lock your phone when stolen: Always plan ahead, so even if your phone is stolen, you know the data’s on your phone are safe.
Always set your phone on automatically erase itself after a certain number of incorrect attempts to enter the password.
Although it is not the best option in case it is just a stubborn family member trying to access your phone, but it’s the best option to safeguard your data when your phone is stolen.
But if you think automatic erase is not really a good idea for you, don’t forget that both Apple and Google operate “find my device” services that can find the location your phone on a map, and remotely erase it or lock it as the case might be.
As an Apple user, you can access this by going to the iCloud website. Check to see if it is enabled on your phone in Settings, iCloud, Find My iPhone.
For an Android user, you can access it by going to Google’s service at google.co.uk/android/device manager You can also track down the handset that’s been mislaid or draw attention to the thief by making the missing phone ring.
Never leave your wireless network on: whenever you’re not using your Wi-Fi, always switch it off. There are so many risk involved when your wireless network is on, especially when using an open wireless network.
Many people actually know that there are risks in connecting to mobile networks, but a lot of people do not know the extent of the danger until they are attacked by malicious third parties.
The attack demands specialist software and skills, so it’s unlikely to be a hazard in your local cafe, but it is not a danger that can be ignored.
If you’re at all doubtful about a wireless network, don’t connect, stick with your phone’s mobile internet connection. Or use a VPN tool such as CyberGhost or TunnelBear both available free for Android and iOS.
These tools route your traffic through a private encrypted channel, so that if someone is monitoring your traffic they won’t be able to see what you’re up to.
Don’t leave online services unlocked: Do not always leave your online services unlocked. As auto-login is a very convenient feature, especially since a virtual keyboard can make typing passwords a chore, you shouldn’t use it.
If you decide to, always use a password manager application that will require you to regularly re-enter your password and never use the same password for more than one application or service.
If the one password is gotten by intruders, it can be used to access all other private information on other apps and services as hackers regularly breaks into online services to steal users’ credentials, which they then try out on other sites.
It is also a huge liability which will give the intruder access to all your online accounts when he/she opens your browser.
I hope these few tips protect you from hackers trying to access your details trough your phones.
Your phone’s security can be guaranteed if you follow the advice listed here to the letter.
Your phone could be your fastest means of communication and the best tool with which to stay informed, but it could become a weapon against you in the hands of your enemies. Be your best protector of all your data.
