Mobile devices can be targeted by scammers and thieves looking to steal sensitive information and access your money. — Image by freepik
Cellphones have become an almost indispensable tool of modern life but come with risks. Mobile devices can be targeted by scammers and thieves looking to steal sensitive information and access your money.
There are things you can do to protect yourself, however, and one of the best ways may be the easiest.
Forbes recently reported on best practices guidance from the National Security Agency, the intelligence agency for the US Department of Defense. The document, which dates back to 2020, outlines a series of things that can be done to protect smartphones – iPhones and Androids – from hackers.
One of the most basic is powering your device off completely once a week. This is to help prevent spearfishing, where hackers prompt you to follow a link so they can install malware on your phone, and “zero-click exploits”, highly sophisticated and targeted attacks where criminals take over a phone remotely.
The rest of the guidance includes common tips such as not opening links or emails from unknown sources, not using a cellphone for sensitive text conversations and not responding to unexpected pop-ups.
NSA also advises people to only use trusted accessories, such as charging cords or charging accessories purchased from a trusted manufacturer. Cellphone users are also advised to disable location services when they’re not needed.
Other suggestions for NSA guidance
– Do not connect to public WiFi and disable it when unneeded.
– Consider a protective case that downs the microphone to block room audio and avoid a hot miking attack. Cover the camera when not using.
– Install a minimal number of applications and only ones from application stores. Close them when not using and be cautious of ones that ask for personal data.
– Update device software and applications when possible.
– Consider using biometrics – fingerprint, face – authentication for convenience to protect data. – al.com/Tribune News Service
