How to Protect Phone from Being Hacked: Protect Your Smartphone from Intrusion and Data Theft
The times when our mobile phones served us only for calls and texts are long gone. We’re used to doing everything on them nowadays. It’s no surprise that the term smartphone was born. Mobile devices have the power to support all kinds of software, and many people are taking full advantage. They buy stuff, check their email, browse around, and more.
Many of those activities include some level of risk. You should be extra careful if you are using personal information or real money on shopping or online gambling apps. This article will explore some of the best ways to protect your smartphone.
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Update Your Operating System Regularly
One of the most important and yet, most underrated safety rules is to update your operating system regularly. Every time a new version is up, the team behind it improves the security and addresses all known problems with the software.
If you don’t add the latest version, there could be some exploits. Harmful third parties might use them to access your information and steal your data. The good news is that most smartphones usually notify you when a new update is available. Take advantage and keep your software up to date.
Use Additional Antivirus Software
The vast majority of smartphones nowadays come with a built-in antivirus app that is decent or even more than that when it comes to iOS. And yet, adding extra protection certainly is a good idea, especially for people who often use sensitive apps. There’s a long list of antivirus programs for all mainstream devices that will do the job, and many of them are free. Make sure to get one.
Lock Your Screen and Your SIM
The first two tips are software-related, but the good old theft is something to consider too. Someone might steal your smartphone, or you could simply lose it. Both scenarios are unpleasant, but imagine how bad it could get if someone misuses your personal information and money.
The easiest way to prevent such a scenario would be to lock your phone screen and sim card. You can do the former easily on iOS and Android through the default features of your device. As for the SIM card, putting a pin would be enough. That would be sufficient protection, as people won’t be able to take it out of the phone and use it on another device.
Set Up the Localization Feature of Your Smartphone
All popular manufacturers of mobile devices add an app that could help you localize your phone in case you use it. It’s called “Find My iPhone” on iOS and “Find My Device” on Android. You only need to spend several minutes setting them up, and you will have access to plenty of valuable features. If you lose your phone or it gets stolen, you can localize it, lock it remotely, or even force a ring.
Use Your Common Sense to Answer The Question “How to Protect my Phone”
Most of the people who have security problems suffer from their own negligence. It would be best to always refer to your common sense when using your smartphone. Don’t open fishy emails, don’t follow suspicious links, or use unsecured networks for important apps.
Also, make sure to use safe passwords and protect your personal information. Simply don’t do stupid things that expose you to potential thieves is the answer to “how to protect my phone” from being hacked
