NAIROBI, Kenya – Despite the best efforts by the tech industry industry leaders, hackers are always coming up with clever new ways to hack our smartphones.
From malicious apps to banking trojans and spyware, there are all sorts of different tools, techniques, and tactics in a hacker’s arsenal.
Where to start
It is now more important than ever to take the necessary measures to protect yourself against hackers. To stay safe from phishing attacks and impersonation scams, it’s crucial to remain vigilant online—especially when checking your inbox or messages.
Bad apps can be avoided by checking their ratings and reviews to ensure they actually do what they should. For Android users, avoid sideloading apps, as they don’t go through the rigorous security checks that apps in the official stores do.
Even if you practice excellent cyber hygiene—avoiding links from unknown senders and using a VPN on public Wi-Fi—hackers can still find ways to compromise your device.
Restarting Your Phone: An experts’ Backed Tip
To keep your devices safe, consider a simple yet effective tip from cyber security experts: regularly restarting your phone. This practice can help protect both iPhones and Android phones from hackers. While you probably shut down and reboot your laptop or desktop computer fairly often, when was the last time you did the same with your phone?
In a mobile device best practices guide recently highlighted by Forbes, the article recommends restarting your smartphone at least once a week. This can help defend against zero-click exploits—attacks that don’t require any user interaction. Hackers can send a specially crafted message or image to infect your phone without you even opening it.
The Threat of Zero-Click Exploits
These are vulnerabilities caused by unknown bugs that haven’t been patched by the manufacturer. Infamous spyware use such vulnerabilities to spy on high-value targets. Besides frequently updating your devices and installing the latest patches, restarting your phone can sometimes prevent these types of attacks from being successful.
Additional Tips for Android and iPhone Users
If you’re using an Android phone, make sure Google Play Protect is enabled. It scans all your existing apps and any new ones you download for malware.
For extra protection, consider using one of the best Android antivirus apps, which often include useful extras like a VPN or a password manager.
For iPhone users, keeping your device safe from malware is a bit more complicated. Since Apple prevents iOS apps from scanning for malware, one should find a good antivirus solution for their device
Proactive Measures to Protect Your Data
Now that we store so much sensitive personal and financial information on our smartphones, they’ve become a major target for hackers.
By being proactive and promptly installing the latest updates while also being extra careful online, you can avoid falling victim to cybercriminals and keep your iPhone or Android phone safe from hacks.
Remember, simple steps like restarting your phone weekly, avoiding suspicious links, and keeping your software updated can make a big difference in protecting your digital life. Stay safe out there!
