Consider a day when your smartphone starts behaving strangely. Apps appear on your home screen that are not familiar to you. The battery is draining faster than usual, and the device seems to have slowed down. These symptoms could be due to a cyber threat. Acting quickly will help to protect your device against a cyber threat. Therefore, steps should be taken early to protect the phone from cyber threats. Various statistics are available regarding an increase in mobile cyber incidents. This is a concern for users, who should take early steps to protect themselves. Many cyber attacks targeted smartphones in the last year, and their range is widening and becoming more sophisticated.
Mobile malware attacks in 2023 have run riot, with a 50% increase from the year before, according to Kaspersky. The numbers are surprising and they add up to one clear goal: stronger security awareness for mobile. Identifying risk is the basic first step in supporting a safe digital life.
Security risks of phone hacking
The flow of malicious attacks on mobile devices has become one of the main threats to users, as mobile devices have been taken more seriously as a central part of modern life. Mobile phones are not just communication devices but also have important purposes, such as storing personal information, personal and business communication, and managing daily activities. All these things make it desirable, resulting in mobile phones as a target for criminals who seek to exploit innocent users.
Malware
A good number of these malicious applications or links contain malware that can attack devices in no time. These software are capable of making duplicate copies of our personal information, harassing us with unwanted adverts, or demanding a ransom to unblock our compromised data files.
Phishing attacks
Malicious emails or messages pretending to be legitimate senders lead users to divulge private information – these types of attacks are becoming more common and more difficult to detect. A report by CSO Online claimed that 80 percent of security incidents had a phishing attack as their point of origin.
Unsecured Wi-Fi networks
Just imagine the private details of a person’s life that could be stolen while using an open internet connection without taking the necessary precautions! Since public Wi-Fi is unsecured, hackers could be lurking and it’s shockingly easy for someone to steal a laptop user’s data if it is not encrypted.
Social engineering
The latest methods used by scammers range from impersonation and voice phishing (vishing) calls to exploiting human gullibility to evade security protocols.
Bluetooth vulnerabilities
Phones, computers, or other devices with Bluetooth left unprotected are an open invitation for hackers to break in and steal data. It’s important to secure Bluetooth attributes to prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in this wireless technology for access.
Tips to protect your smartphone from being hacked
Awareness of threats that pose a risk to mobile security is indeed valuable, but active prevention strategies remain important too. To keep your smartphone safe, it is necessary to implement a range of measures that involve both technology and vigilance.
1. Use WOT
WOT (Available for Android and iOS) not only protects nearly everywhere you go online but also is available on almost every device. It’s a solid and reliable guardian, protecting you against the perils of the web as you navigate the increasingly dangerous internet.
Real-time protection
WOT’s Android and iOS app provides real-time protection from unsafe sites, as well as instant alerts when a page has gone rogue. Protection is also provided through WOT’s constant threat-monitoring process.
Safe Browsing
While you’re navigating the web, WOT checks those sites and services and then scans every page and service you visit for suspicious elements. It keeps an eye out for suspicious activity.
WiFi scanning
Testing vulnerabilities in existing network connections will help you spot potential risks before they can be taken advantage of.
App scanning
In addition to the problems you can’t see, app threats almost never present themselves – but WOT’s app scanning feature identifies and blocks them.
Anti-phishing
Smart email protection protects you from phishing attacks and malicious links WOT’s Smart Email Detection is able to detect and block various scams, preventing accidental data breaches.
Data breach monitoring
WOT’s data breach monitoring feature constantly monitors accounts linked to your email and alerts you if your personal data has been breached so you can take preventative action.
2. Use a VPN
Using a VPN encodes data and hides your browsing history, essentially providing a thick shield around your browsing experience to keep out malicious particles and prying eyes. If you’ll use public Wi-Fi to work on sensitive information online or want to keep anyone from finding out what sites you typically visit, a VPN is your best bet at protection.
3. Avoid unsecured public WiFi
Logging into open (non-encrypted) networks is risky: data can be blocked by everyone who cares to pay attention. Connect to them only cautiously, and make a point not to do anything there that is worth keeping private; use only secure networks to protect important data.
4. Backup your data
Use secure cloud services or external storage to regularly back up your machine and prevent losses. By saving copies, you can replace lost information if your device fails or is stolen, and you can bypass unexpected setbacks or prevent lost important content.
5. Keep your apps and phone OS updated
Scheduling automatic updates for apps and the phone’s operating system guards the phone against evolving threats. Updating the system regularly avoids potential exploits. This is one of the pillars of cyber defense.
6. Avoid storing passwords or sensitive data on your phone
Use password managers for storing passwords instead of saving them directly on the device. This way, encrypting the passwords in a dedicated manager app adds some layers of protection around the sensitive information, minimizing exposure to attacks if the device integrity is not guaranteed.
7. Enhance your security with facial recognition, fingerprint, pattern, or PIN
Biometric authentication techniques like fingerprint, face recognition, and secure PIN are great ways to prevent hacks as they provide only the authorized person access. Both the privacy of users and the security of personal data are ensured.
Protect your smartphone from security threats
If you protect your mobile phone from hacking right now, you instantly improve your privacy and help to protect other people’s privacy. WOT helps to create a strong digital fortress around you and your data. This helps you live and surf online safely and securely. Protect your phone right now, go online safely, and enjoy your digital life.
FAQs
Why is my phone’s battery draining faster than normal?
If battery drain follows a pattern, this could indicate apps that run in the background without your permission. Users can consult their battery usage log to determine which apps are the most resource-hungry and delete any suspicious software.
Can resetting my phone factory settings remove malware?
Taking a factory reset can remove malware by returning the phone to the state it was when you bought it. But remember to maintain standard security practices to prevent reinfection.
What is the risk of downloading apps from unofficial app stores?
Infecting devices with apps that are available only outside official app stores, such as the Google Play or Apple App Store, increases the risk that the apps contain malware because the stores don’t prescreen for malicious software. Avoid unauthorized app sources.
How can I improve security when using mobile banking apps?
To use mobile banking safely, set up difficult-to-guess passwords, use two-factor authentication, and don’t use unsecured public Wi-Fi to access sensitive services. Look for the official banking app and check that it is secure (look for security certifications).
What are some signs that suggest my phone is under surveillance?
These include signs such as unusual behavior with your devices, your favorite app suddenly closing without warning, or a sudden jump in the amount of data you’re consuming. Take these hints of possible surveillance seriously, but look into them yourselves if you think there might be an issue, don’t be afraid to ask for expert help.