Your privacy is violated when intimate chats, pictures and messages on your phone are exposed all over the internet and can be seen by everyone. As a result, personal and work life will fall apart. Even though many politicians and celebrities have been harmed by having their phones hacked, you can still protect yourself from the threat of hackers. This article contains information that will help you prepare yourself so that you can protect yourself and those closest to you from the dangers of cell phone fraud scandals caused by the theft of personal information by hackers.
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Part 1 of 3: Protecting Yourself
Step 1. Adopt a proactive mindset in protecting yourself
It has nothing to do with paranoia. In fact, sometimes there are people who want to hack into the details of your private life for malicious purposes. For example, people who like or fall in love with someone, people who want revenge, or friends who are now enemies for some reason. You can't predict how a relationship will change, so always remember to properly protect your personal information.
- Use a password (password). At first, you may think that there is no important information to hide in your phone. People don't hack phones just because they want your information. More precisely, they look for specific or confidential information that is on the phone, such as information on family members, friends, or acquaintances. This information needs to be protected from being hacked by others. In addition, there is also the possibility of financial information being stolen, and the contents of the account being transferred to another account via SMS
- Do not share your password with others. If you are forced to give your password to someone you trust, change your password after use.
- Don't share your phone password with anyone at work or social settings. Always cover the screen when entering your phone password.
- Don't program passwords into your phone.
- Do not store personal data in the phone for a long time. If and when hackers manage to take over your email account, all of its data will be (most likely) permanently lost. Even if you reset your password and log in again, you will not be able to access the information you left behind.
Step 2. Save the backup (back up) important correspondence, files or photos attached to your smartphone somewhere else
Keep backups on your PC, laptop, tablet, etc.
Step 3. Think, don't assume
Is the risk of information theft worth a bit of laziness? Consider the worst-case scenario that can happen if your phone gets hacked. Train yourself not to access important information using your phone, and immediately delete all confidential information once it's read/backed up somewhere. Phones that do not store valuable information cannot be used to bribe their owners or sell them to the highest bidder. In this way, major disasters can be avoided should the phone be hacked or stolen. Think critically, and don't underestimate the security of your phone.
Part 2 of 3: Strengthening Passwords
Step 1. Set a password for your voicemail (voicemail)
One way to ensure that malicious hackers don't delete private voicemail from your system is to set a password on your voicemail.
- Follow the procedure to set a password on voicemails received directly from your phone and remote access to your voicemails. Many systems allow their owners to access voicemail from any cell phone, which is vulnerable to hacking unless passwords are set for every aspect of it.
- Many phones come with a built-in password (usually this password is very easy to guess). Immediately change to a password known only to you.
- If you have trouble or lose your phone manual, take your phone to a retailer or contact customer service for assistance.
Step 2. Choose a password that is difficult to guess
Easy passwords are easy to remember, but a password that comes from a date of birth, a sequence of numbers, or any password that's easy to guess just by looking at the way you think and act is very risky.
- Don't use easy-to-guess passwords, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or sequential numbers. Small hackers might try easy passwords, such as your birthday, a family member, or a pet. In addition, some people also choose a sequence of numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) as a password because they think hackers will not try too easy passwords. Or, the phone owner feels that no one will want to hack his phone.
- Don't use easy-to-guess words, such as mother's or pet's name. These kinds of passwords are easily cracked by people who know you. Anything that can be found out about you via social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, forum messages, etc.) should not be used as a password!
- Use complex character sets using uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The more complex the circuit, the more secure your password will be. Use an uppercase letter in the middle of the password and include odd symbols to strengthen your password. Read How to Choose a Secure Password for more information.
Step 3. Don't use the same password for all your phone accounts
While confusing, using a different password for each account is the best way to protect your phone (and your overall identity).
Step 4. Update your phone password as often as possible
Don't forget to change your password frequently to keep it safe. Passwords don't have to be changed every day, but schedule time to change your old passwords to new ones periodically.
- Make a schedule for updating your password. Make a password change plan (weekly, monthly, or quarterly) and stick to it. You can even write the code on the agenda when planning to update your password.
- If you have changed your password, write it down and keep it in a safe place, far from your cell phone, bag/wallet, or anything else that comes into contact with your phone. Don't keep a list of passwords in your to-do because if they are lost or stolen, hackers will have all your information. Write down passwords on separate pieces of paper and keep notes in unmarked files and keep them in a drawer. Or, put a note in a folder that says “school” or “home repair” in case your home is broken into.
Part 3 of 3: Other Security Measures
Step 1. If you turn on Bluetooth, make sure "Discoverable" mode is disabled
This mode will prevent your phone from being detected by other people who are scanning for other Bluetooth devices in the vicinity. This mode is the default (initial) setting on almost all new model phones.
Step 2. Install the phone security software to strengthen its security
Depending on the type and type of phone you have, you may have three options. For example, some phones will lock all access after the phone has been idle for a while. Check if the phone has this feature. If your phone is stolen, this tool will prevent the thief from accessing your personal information.
- Contrary to popular belief, there are no "viruses" on mobile devices. However, there are "malware" applications that will try to steal information from the phone. The mobile device security app will check your phone and notify you if malware is found. This is a must-have if you have a jailbroken Android device or iPhone. Also, be careful if you want to download. Only download from trusted apps or sites and beware of pop-ups or notifications that appear on their own as they can invite trouble.
- Look for an app that lets you control your phone remotely in case it gets stolen. There are apps that let you take complete control of your phone once it's stolen. This way, you can track your location and delete all personal data on your phone.
- Don't forget to protect the security app settings with a password whenever possible.
Tips
- Keep your phone with you (or know where it is) at all times.
- Don't click on links in emails from senders you don't trust.
- Take care of your phone like caring for a computer. Be careful what is opened, the sites accessed, and the type of data or photos stored.
- Turn off Wi-Fi when not in use.
