Smartphones are no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity for navigating the world around us. In fact, 88% of Canadians and 85% of Americans currently own smartphones, making them a permanent fixture in our daily lives. They function like mini-computers, with the capacity to support almost every activity, from work and socializing, to shopping and banking. That’s why phone hacking is becoming a major concern. Despite the value of our internet-connected cell phones, advanced technology can also pose a risk. With so much sensitive information stored online, malicious actors can cause real damage if they obtain access to personal data. This is why knowing how to protect your phone from hackers is crucial.
This isn’t just an issue that affects our personal lives. Mobile security flaws can often lead to vulnerability for companies, especially small businesses.
If you want to value your privacy and safeguard your information, it is crucial to learn how to protect your phone from hackers.
In 2022, mobile hacking is one of the fastest-growing crimes. It’s impacting everyone, from your grandparents to politicians. Phone hacking has become such a hot-button issue that it has infiltrated our entertainment, with the topic being a major focus of documentaries, television shows, and films.
According to a new report from the Better Business Bureau, online scams have risen 87% since 2015. This insidious behaviour can lead to serious data breaches, financial loss, and identity theft,
For example, the Nokia 2021 Threat Intelligence Report demonstrated that the number of new banking trojans rose 80% during the first half of 2021, with hackers seeking to steal credit card information and other banking details.
You might be wondering, “How do I protect my phone from hackers? Is it even possible?” There’s good news! With proper cybersecurity protection, you can dramatically reduce your risk and mitigate any damage if you get hacked. Here are some tips to get you started:
To protect your smartphone, refrain from connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Avoid unprotected Bluetooth networks too, powering down your Bluetooth service when it is not in use.
Recent research shows that nearly two in five people have had their accounts hacked. But many options exist to help you batten down your digital hatches.
Use biometric authentication tools, like face or fingerprint recognition. It is recommended that they be used in conjunction with strong passwords, regularly-changed passwords, and storing them within a password manager. It can also be helpful to change your PIN number often. Finally, multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra barrier for hackers to infiltrate. We discuss this in our recent article: “Security Basics — What is Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)?”
Prevent security issues by regularly removing unused apps, as well as updating your apps to ensure they are compatible with your phone. Be careful about which permissions you allow to your various apps, and only download them from official sources like the App Store and Google Play.
Use a virtual private network (VPN), which encrypts your data so that you can navigate the internet safely from your phone. You can further strengthen your security with antivirus software and lost device tracking services such as Find My iPhone.
Hackers seek to gain access to our private information through a technique called social engineering. Using psychological strategies, they manipulate us into divulging confidential information. To avoid losing your personal data from human error, verify links before you click on them, filter spam emails, and learn to recognize the ways hackers bait us.
We can do everything in our power to avoid a hack, but it can still happen. That’s why we need to learn how to handle data breaches and how to recognize that one has happened to us. We can hopefully stop a more serious information leak and reduce the hack’s impact. The first step? Educate ourselves on how to recognize the red flags and a compromised device. We also need to learn how to remove a hacker from our phones.
With so many actions required to secure access to our data, it is no wonder that companies may require extra support, as they rely on a more mobile workforce. These tips may not cut it. PC Corp’s Secured Mobility service along with our I.T Consulting Services can help you develop a comprehensive strategy to address all your mobile devices, keeping your files secure and security strong through encryption and auditing. Connect with us today to learn more.