How do hackers hack phones? There are many ways to hack phones. Our phones are treasure chests. These phones are loaded with a lot of personal data. We use them to shop, bank and manage other financial and personal matters. This is a high-value asset for identity thieves. And hackers are increasingly targeting mobile users. Statistics from RSA Security show that more than 60% of fraud originates from mobile devices and ~80% of attacks against mobile devices take place via apps. And Symantec has found that even back in 2019, more than 24,000 malicious mobile apps were blocked from app stores each day! But the good news is that there are ways to secure your phones and prevent hacking. Here we discuss ten ways to protect your phone from being hacked.
But let’s start by looking at some of the most common attacks.
Types Of Smartphone Hacks and Attacks
Hacking software
Hackers can either physically gain access to your phone, or trick you into installing it via . A phony app , a sketchy site, or a Phishing attack are all ways hacking software could cause problems.
- Keylogging: A hacker can use keylogging to spy on you as you tap, type, or talk on your phone.
- Trojans: Trojans are malware that can be hidden in your phone to steal personal and credit card information.
These are signs that your phone may be infected with hacking software:
- A battery that drains too fast.
- Your phone gets hot or sluggish.
- Your phone turns off suddenly, or apps quit abruptly.
- Unrecognized data or text may be displayed on your bill.
Hacking software can cause system resource drain, conflict with other apps, and even use your data or internet connection in order to give hackers your personal information.
Phishing attacks
These are an old form of attack. Hackers have been targeting our computers for many years using phishing techniques. Phishing refers to hackers posing as a company to gain access to your accounts, personal information or both. These attacks can take many forms such as emails, text messages, instant messaging, etc., but some may look very legitimate. They often include links to bogus websites that try to trick you into giving your information or to install malware that can wreak havoc and steal your data. You can avoid falling for phishing attacks by learning how to recognize them.
Bluetooth hacking
Hackers can employ dedicated technology to search for mobile devices that are vulnerable via an open Bluetooth connection. These attacks can be carried out by hackers when they are within 30 feet of your phone. Usually, hackers will do this in a densely populated area. Hackers can connect to your phone via Bluetooth. However, hackers cannot access your data or information if the phone is not within range. This is an advanced attack, given the technology and effort involved.
SIM card swapping
The SIM card of the CEO of Twitter was hacked in August 2019. SIM card swapping is when a hacker calls your phone provider pretending to be you and requests a replacement SIM. The hacker will send the SIM card to your provider, deactivating the old SIM card and stealing your phone number. This means that the hacker has gained control over your phone calls, messages and other communications. Hacking involves the difficult task of impersonating another person. However, this happened to the CEO at a large tech company. Online security can help you avoid hackers using your identity and personal information to impersonate you.
Ten ways to protect your phone from being hacked
There are many ways hackers can hack into your phone to steal sensitive and personal information. Here are some tips:
1. Install security software
Comprehensive security software should be installed on your phone. We are used to the idea of installing security software on our desktops and laptops but not so much on our phones. You can install security software on your smartphone to provide a first line defense against attacks and several other security features as described below.
2. Install Updates
Keep your phone up-to-date with all the latest updates. Updates are a way to fix the vulnerabilities cybercriminals use to launch their malware-based attacks. These updates are able to keep your phone’s apps and devices running smoothly, as well as introduce new, useful features.
3. Use a VPN
A VPN can make you safer while on the move. These networks are open to everyone, so your banking information, password usage and other activities can all be seen by others. A VPN can make a public network private. It will protect you and everything you do from other users.
4. Avoid public Charging Stations
Avoid charging at public charging stations. It is so easy and secure to charge up at a public station. Some hackers can “juice jack” charging stations by installing malware. They “juice up” your passwords, personal information, and other sensitive data while you are “juice jacking”. What can you do to keep your power going on the road? A portable power pack is a device that can be charged up in advance or can run on AA batteries. These are very affordable and easy to find.
5. Use Password Managers
A password manager is a good option. Unique passwords are a primary line of defense. With so many accounts, it can be difficult to keep track of all of them. This is why it is tempting to re-use and reuse simpler passwords. This is because one password could be the key to multiple accounts. Hackers love it. Instead, you can use a password manager to create and store those passwords. One will be included in comprehensive security software.
6. Set up Phone Tracking
You need to keep an eye on your phone. Some hacks occur simply because your phone falls into the wrong hands. This is an excellent case for password and pin protection. You can also turn on device tracking to locate your phone and remotely wipe it if necessary. Apple offers iOS users a step-by–step guide to remotely wiping their iOS devices. Google also provides a guide for remote wiping for Android users.
7. Encrypt Your Phone
Protect your phone with encryption. Encrypting your phone can help protect you from hackers and your important information, such as calls and messages. You can check your iPhone’s encryption status by going to Touch ID & Passcode. Scroll down and you will see whether data protection has been enabled. This is usually automatic if you have a passcode. Android users can use automatic encryption, depending on which phone they have.
8. Lock Your SIM Card
This is similar to how you can lock your phone. Locking it prevents your phone being used on another network. These are the steps to lock your iPhone. You can also visit the website of the manufacturer for other platforms.
9. Turn off WiFi & Bluetooth
When not in use, turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. A hacker with the right tools and experience can carry out many attacks on devices that have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth open and easily accessible. While this is not a hack, retailers can track your location in stores using Bluetooth technology to market their products. So, turning it off can help protect your privacy. Both can be turned off from your settings. Many phones also have a pulldown menu that allows you to do this from your home screen.
10. Only Use Official App Stores
Avoid third-party apps stores. According to Symantec, third-party app stores host 99.9 percent of discovered mobile malware are the main source of recent security breaches involving mobile devices. Google Play and Apple’s App Store have safeguards in place that review and vet applications to ensure they are secure and safe. This process may not be available on third-party websites. Some third-party websites may even host malicious apps in order to make a bigger scam. While cybercriminals may have discovered ways to bypass Apple and Google’s review processes, the chances of downloading safe apps from them are much greater than elsewhere. Both Apple and Google are quick to remove malicious applications once they’re discovered. This makes their stores safer.
The Final Score: How to Prevent your Phone From Being Hacked
Yes, it seems like we are fighting against the current with wave after wave of malicious attacks on our data. And that includes our mobile phones. in fact, our mobile phones are increasingly the target of hackers. However, we have outlines some simple, easy steps you can take to help prevent you becoming the victim of mobile phone hacking attacks. It starts with being aware and using common sense and educating yourself on how nefarious actors plan to rip you off. As with all security the rule is: be smart and stay safe.