Don’t want your phone to be hacked? just do this one thing

Almost every day, a new warning about mobile phone security is posted on any number of websites to send users into a spiral of fear. Sometimes that warning is ignored and users face the consequences. Sure, some of those warnings may sound like exaggeration, but there’s almost always a universal truth behind them — your privacy and security are always at risk.

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Every so often, I have to dive back into mobile security and present a hard reality to users. Often these truths are too easy to accept, like never installing a piece of software unless it’s found in the app stores of your ecosystem (Google Play Store and iOS App Store), using a password manager , or make sure to always keep both the app and the operating system updated.

Anyone can follow those best practices. They are simple, harmless, and require very little effort on the part of the user.

But then there are other best practices that are not as easy to follow. Unfortunately, IT administrators have to constantly remind end users not to do certain things for years. And yet, they still happen. No matter how adamant the IT administrator is about the potential consequences, end users continue to ignore those warnings, stopping only to turn to IT to solve their problems.

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When you’re dealing with your own personal device, you might not have an IT department to turn to. When this happens, you can go to your carrier and pay the cost of restoring your device to working condition (which can be expensive) or do a factory reset (which can fix the problem). Yes or No).

Worse, you may fall victim to a ransomware attack, at which point all bets are off. Even though you can do a factory reset, your data may be at risk of being released if you don’t pay. You definitely don’t want that to happen.

And that’s where my most important piece of advice for mobile security comes in — and it can be summed up in one simple, straightforward phrase: When in doubt, don’t.

when in doubt, don’t

I have a friend who regularly calls me with questions like, “I received this text. I don’t know the sender. Should I click the link?”

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The answer, clearly, is always “No!” Then I remind the person that if they don’t know the sender of an email, SMS message, Facebook Messenger message or WhatsApp communication, they don’t have to open it, tap it, click it, copy it Yes, it has to be answered. it, or otherwise interact with it.

And this is the heart of the issue.

So many users (and publications too) want to put the blame on the shoulders of the companies that provide the mobile operating systems and/or mobile applications. This is not only not fair, but it is also not helpful. You see, as is the case with desktop and laptop computers, the end user must share the burden of responsibility. Google doesn’t make you tap links that are sent to you from unknown sources. Apple has never bent your arm to answer the odd text.

And yet, no matter how many times they are warned, end users continue to tap those pesky links and respond to messages sent by unknown users. The end result can be disastrous for your data, your privacy and your identity.

Global ransomware attacks increase 32% on businesses and 38% on individuals avast, Those attacks come in the form of fake package delivery information, technical support scams, sexploitation scams, and phishing scams (when an attacker tries to trick you into revealing personal information in order to gain leverage over a victim).

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I am sure you have seen these email and SMS messages. I meet them all the time. While I was writing this article, I received at least five such scams and my wife sent me an email phishing attack that turned out to be an order for Geek Squad Gold Plus Tech Support for $499.19. That email had phone numbers to tap into, which I guarantee will cause no end of trouble. I immediately replied saying it was a scam and to remove it. This type of attack is so common that I’ve gotten to the point where I automatically block (or mark as junk) any email that contains certain phrases or companies that are often used in phishing scams. She goes

I also get about 10 SMS messages a day on my phone that go something like this: ‘Hey, I tried calling you, but you’re not answering. What’s up?’

The sender of the message is not in my contact list, which means I do not know them. Over the years, I’ve developed a simple rule: If I don’t know you, I won’t answer the phone or reply to your messages. Now, I don’t hesitate to block those messages and report them as spam. The sender may be legit, but I’m not taking any chances.

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And this attitude should be adopted by every mobile user. Take precautions and you will avoid many common attacks on your privacy and data.

And that, my dear friends, is the hard and simple truth about phone security that you need to accept.