Nowadays, with all the viruses and malware that exist and with the succession of reports relating to the security problems of software and electronic devices, no one will be able to blame those who take their smartphone to heart and try to protect it from possible hacker attacks. It is good to take some simple steps to secure your smartphone starting from using strong and secure passwords and protecting the data it contains. However, it is good to remember that nothing is infallible, but increasing your knowledge of cyber security will increase the chances of preventing your smartphone from being hacked.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Protect your Smartphone
Step 1. Always keep your operating system up to date
As soon as you get the notification that a new version of the operating system is available you should download and install it immediately. There are many hackers who take advantage of vulnerabilities in outdated versions of operating systems. The updates that are released regularly by the various developers serve precisely to correct errors or bugs which automatically makes the device more secure.
Step 2. Install software that protects your Android smartphone
Do not download the first application that comes your way. Thorough research should be carried out using advice provided by reputable and legitimate websites or institutions. If you want a free, yet safe and reliable product, choose Avast. It is a program that can protect your device from attacks, viruses and malware. If you don't have budget problems, you can opt for a more complete product like McAfee or Norton.
- Normally, iOS devices are very difficult to hack. However, even in this area some versions of the operating system have vulnerabilities. The best way to stay safe is to always update the operating system and all installed software by promptly downloading all new versions as soon as they are available. Always be very careful in verifying the reliability of the applications you install.
- If possible, protect access to the anti-virus software of your choice by setting a security password.
Step 3. Set a device passcode
In this case, you should choose one that is complex and robust, but at the same time easy to remember. In general, it is best to avoid using personal information such as the date of birth, the name of pets or part of the telephone number. To set up a new passcode, follow the instructions given to you directly from the technical support section of the Apple and Google websites.
- To set a passcode on your iPhone, you can choose a six or four digit number or a custom alphanumeric password.
- On Android systems, you must press the "Menu" key while the Home screen is displayed. Then choose the "Settings" option to access the main menu of the device. At this point select the item "Security", then tap the "Lock screen" option. The item names shown may vary depending on the make and model of your Android device. Choose whether to use a "Token", a "PIN" or an alphanumeric password to block access to the smartphone. Once the security code is set, select the time interval after which the device will be automatically locked.
Step 4. Carefully evaluate the applications before installing them
Download the programs you want to install on your device only from trusted and safe sources, such as the Apple App Store, iTunes, or the Google Play Store. If you own an Android device, be very cautious when choosing to install a new application. Google, unlike Apple, does not thoroughly and scrupulously check the apps that are published on its store. Before downloading an application produced by a third party, always consult the reviews of users who have already done so or the opinion of trusted and safe websites such as Wired or CNET.
Step 5. Learn how to manage the device remotely
Through the settings of the operating system or through special applications, you can block your mobile device or format it in case of loss or theft. If you have a modern mobile device, you don't need to download any additional applications. You can control an iPhone remotely via iCloud's "Find My iPhone" feature. If you have an Android device, you can remotely control it directly from your Google account.
Users who have an older model of iPhone can install the "Find My iPhone" application directly from iTunes. Users who have an older Android device can make use of the "Find My Phone" application. Both of the above programs are free
Step 6. Always be careful when connecting to an unsecured Wi-Fi network
All wireless networks with free access, ie without the need to enter a password, are not characterized by the classic icon in the shape of a padlock. It is always good, whenever possible, to avoid using this type of connections, opting for the cellular data connection of the device. In any way it is possible to install an application capable of managing access via VPN networks (from the English "Virtual Private Network"), which redirect data traffic over encrypted connections. However, even if you've chosen to use a VPN service, don't use it to access your bank account or other sensitive personal information using an unsecured Wi-Fi connection.
Connections to secure wireless networks are characterized by a lock icon that is usually located next to the network name
Step 7. Turn off the WiFi and Bluetooth connection and the GPS service when you don't need to use them
These features allow attackers to locate a smartphone by simply scanning the area. To disable them, refer to the instructions in the user manual or in the technical support section of the manufacturer's website. Normally, on most modern devices, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and the GPS location service are turned on by default.
Step 8. Avoid using a device access method that is too simple
Do not use your fingerprint or facial recognition to unlock access to your smartphone. Hackers are able to make a copy of fingerprints from objects touched or to trace the characteristic features of a human face through a simple photograph. Avoid setting up your smartphone to automatically unlock when you are at home or when it detects a paired accessory or device. If a hacker were to breach your home LAN or get hold of your smart watch, your mobile device would automatically become vulnerable to attack.
Part 2 of 3: Using Strong Passwords
Step 1. Choose a password that is difficult to guess
It is good to create strong passwords that are the result of a complex combination of letters, numbers and symbols. The more complex a password is, the more robust and difficult it will be to break. It uses a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, along with a little-used symbol to make the resulting password even more complex.
- Absolutely avoid using passwords derived from birthdays, anniversaries or that correspond to elementary sequences of numbers or characters such as "12345" or "abcd". Don't use easy-to-guess letter sequences, such as your mother's or pet's name.
- Password-protect access to your voicemail, Wi-Fi network, and all applications with which you manage sensitive data and information, such as your bank account or e-mail. To secure access to the answering machine, follow the instructions on the website of the telephone company you have chosen.
Step 2. Don't share your passwords
This rule should have no exceptions, so you shouldn't even share it with your partner, closest relatives, or friends ever. When you are in a public place, observe those around you to make sure no one is watching you as you type your password. Finally, avoid entering passwords and access codes while being filmed by a CCTV camera; you cannot know who will analyze the recorded images.
Step 3. Always avoid using automatic login procedures
Of course they are convenient to use as they save you from having to type in your username and password every time, but for hackers they are an extremely simple tool for hacking an account. It is good to always take those 10-20 seconds to enter your username and password, especially to log into your bank account or other websites that contain sensitive and personal data. Remember to type the characters calmly, without haste, to prevent the account from being blocked for violating security procedures (for example, for entering the wrong password too many times).
If you don't have time or if you don't think you can't remember too many passwords by heart, you can use a "password manager". It is a program whose purpose is to memorize all of the user's login passwords and use them automatically when you need to log in to a specific website. Obviously, programs of this type are also protected by a password. In this way, however, the user will only need to remember the access code to the "password manager"
Step 4. Use different passwords
Using the same password to access home banking, emails and social networks makes hackers' work extremely simple. Take your time to create multiple complex sequences of letters, numbers and symbols to protect each account. To make the work less burdensome, you can opt for the use of a password generator together with a program for managing it ("password manager").
Step 5. Change your passwords often
Do this on a regular basis by creating an update procedure for all passwords. Perform it every week, month or quarter and meet deadlines without exception. For convenience, you can schedule this activity as an event within an electronic calendar.
Part 3 of 3: Protect Personal Data
Step 1. Don't share too much personal information within social networks
It is now customary to use the real name in chat and social networks, but it is good to limit the sharing of personal data. Never enter in the profile the address of residence or domicile, the mobile or landline number, personal information concerning your parents, etc. Try not to enter any information considered "harmless" or "safe", such as the title of your favorite song or the book you are currently reading. Hackers could use them to steal your identity and pretend to be you while committing criminal or illegal activities.
Step 2. Erase the personal information stored in the smartphone
Images and photographs can reveal many details of a person's personal life by giving an attacker the chance to impersonate that person for illegal or fraudulent purposes. The notes or audio recordings of a corporate meeting could be very useful for those who work in the field of industrial espionage. For these reasons it is good to transfer images and any other sensitive data (text files, documents, etc.) from the phone to a computer.
If you decide to scrap, give away or sell your smartphone, it is a good idea to format it and restore its factory settings before doing so. First, it encrypts all the contents of the internal memory to make any information that has been forgotten inside useless. At this point you must follow the procedures indicated in the user manual or on the manufacturer's website to reset the device
Step 3. Never open emails that seem suspicious to you
By simply opening an e-mail message or clicking a link inside you could provide the sender with an access point to personal or sensitive data. If an email message comes from a sender you don't know, delete it immediately without hesitation. If the sender of the e-mail is trustworthy, move the mouse cursor over its name to verify that its e-mail address is correct and legitimate. Webmail service providers, such as Gmail, show the sender's name and e-mail address for each message received.
Step 4. Do not send personal information via your smartphone
In this case it is good to consider what the worst scenario could be, if your smartphone is hacked, and start from this point to take the necessary precautions. Immediately stop using the device to share confidential and sensitive information of any nature. When someone sends you information of this type, immediately delete it from your smartphone after reading it.
Step 5. Always backup your data
Make a copy of this information on a computer. Then create a backup of your data using an external hard drive or USB memory drive. If you have kept too much data on your phone, to save time and effort, you can consider using an automatic backup system.
Advice
- Try to always keep your smartphone or mobile phone with you or at least always know where it is.
- You should use and protect your smartphone like you do your computer. Always pay close attention to the files you open, the websites you visit and the data you share.
