5 Safe Habits to Keep Your Phone from Being Hacked

Image credit: AT&T Experience

Today, many people cannot do without smartphones. They use them to make calls, send or receive texts, find their way around, use social media, take pictures, and perform hundreds of other tasks. Unfortunately, hackers and cybercriminals have invented just as many strategies to steal confidential data from smartphone users. Losing your sensitive data to a hacker is one of the worst experiences that you can ever encounter. The cybercriminal can use your information to tarnish your online reputation or steal your identity. Therefore, it is advisable to be on the lookout to avoid losing your confidential information saved on your mobile phone, including your bank details. This guide provides five crucial strategies to protect your smartphone from hacking.

Install Security Software

Installing security software should be the first step that you need to take after purchasing your smartphone. The software will offer firewall, spam, and malware protection. Additionally, you should install a program that can help you control your tablet or smartphone from afar. After installing such a program, you can use GPS features to track your device. You can also delete sensitive data, shut down, or lock your phone from afar. Therefore, even if a hacker steals your device, he or she will not get your confidential data.

Keep Your Phone Updated

You should update the operating system of your phone regularly. Hackers invent new hacking strategies every day. Failure to update your phone makes it vulnerable to hacking. Running the latest operating system will block malware and loopholes devised by hackers to exploit their targets.

Stay Away from Public Wi-Fi

When using public Wi-Fi, a well-equipped hacker can easily track your online activities, which can give him an opportunity to steal your data. The hacker can get away with your financial details, social media logins, email logins, and other confidential details. Therefore, to minimize the risks of losing your data, you should not use public Wi-Fi. If you must use a public hotspot, you should use a reliable VPN to encrypt your online activities.

Use a Strong Password

You should set up a password on your smartphone to keep hackers at bay. You can either create a unique code, pattern lock or a pin to protect your device. When creating your passwords, you should use special characters to make it hard to guess. It should probably go unsaid, but you shouldn’t use things like “1234” or “0000” as this code.

Vet Apps Carefully Before Installing Them

Before installing a mobile application, you should vet it carefully to protect your device. You need to know that some developers make suspicious apps that help them hack the devices of their targets. To avoid falling victim to these cybercriminals, you need to be cautious with what you install on your phone. Online reviews and recommendations from friends can help you know the apps that you should install and the ones that you should not.

Lastly, you should clear your data before selling your device. If you leave your confidential data undeleted, the new owner can use it to harm you or steal your identity. You need to practice these habits to make sure that your phone and your data are safe.

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