CSB Blog

8 Tips to Protect Your Phone from Hackers and Other Threats

For many of us, our smartphones are a big part of our lives. We use them for personal and professional purposes. Anything from business calls, scrolling social media, to managing our money and communicating with friends and family. 

It can be easy to forget that these devices hold or connect to a lot of sensitive personal information — and that they can be easily hacked if we're not careful. 

Protecting your phone from hackers is crucial to safeguard your personal information and maintain your digital security. Here are eight essential tips to help you enhance the security of your phone.

1. Be Cautious when Downloading Apps

Only download and run apps that are available from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store or another truly trusted source. Apps have to meet certain security standards set by the store and are also scanned for malware. Review and understand the permissions requested by each app before installing. Be cautious about granting unnecessary access to your personal data.

If you haven't audited your apps in a while, take some time to clean up your device. Delete apps you no longer use and revoke app permissions that are no longer needed. 

2. Use Strong Passwords and Biometrics

Always protect your phone, and any apps that access sensitive personal information Set a strong, unique password for your phone. Avoid easily guessable passwords like "1234" or "password." Whenever possible, use biometric authentication methods like fingerprint or facial recognition.

You should also enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on services that make it available and have the second factor delivered to a different device. This way your physical phone has an additional layer of security if it is ever lost or stolen. 

3. Keep Your Phone’s Software Up to Date

Turn on automatic updates for both your apps and your operating system to protect yourself from potential hackers.  Software updates often include security patches that protect against known vulnerabilities.

4. Add Extra Layers of Security

A virtual public network (VPN) can add another layer of privacy for your data, especially if you frequently use public Wi-Fi networks. The best VPNs encrypt your information to ensure that your location and browsing history remain encrypted. Essentially, a VPN will render your data unreadable by anyone who intercepts it on the open Wi-Fi network. 

Download and use a reputable antivirus and anti-malware app to scan and protect your device from malicious software. Keep the app's virus definitions up to date to protect your phone from potential threats.

5. Don't Put Your Phone Number on Public Sites

Cybercriminals often use publicly available phone numbers as part of phishing attacks. They may send deceptive messages or make fraudulent calls, attempting to trick individuals into disclosing sensitive information.

Publicly available phone numbers are also susceptible to receiving unsolicited calls and messages, including spam and telemarketing. This can be not only annoying, but can also potentially lead to scams or phishing attempts. Sharing your phone number may also make it easier for others to track your location.

6. Be Wary of Phishing Attempts

Don't download anything sent to your phone via text or email without carefully checking the source first, even if the message seems to come from someone you know. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, even if they are received through text messages or emails. Be skeptical of unexpected communications requesting personal information.

7. Enable Remote Tracking and Wiping

Activate the "Find My Phone" or similar feature on your device. This allows you to track your phone if it's lost and remotely wipe its data if necessary. This is great if your phone is ever lost or stolen.

8. Don't Use Public Wi-Fi

Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks if possible, and use your cellular data instead. If you have to connect to an unsecured network, such as when traveling, make sure your VPN is enabled. Public networks can make your devices vulnerable to hackers.

In addition to these tips, it's essential to stay informed about the latest security threats and best practices. Regularly review your security settings and take proactive measures to protect your phone and the sensitive information it contains.