Hackers have figured out a way to hijack cell phones and steal the valuable information contained in them. Culprits are going after emails, photographs and payment apps to commit larger crimes like blackmail, fraud, and theft. All this is accomplished with just a phone number and a whole lot of social engineering. (Hacking)
Mobile apps can be a nightmare for IT. There are millions of them, and most were developed without any concern for security. Some IT organizations have tried to counter potential threats from mobile apps by blacklisting programs they deem risky, but that’s not always effective.(Phone Hacking)
Having your smartphone hacked kind of feels like someone robbed your house — or maybe even worse. It’s a massive invasion of privacy, a violation of your personal space, and it may take a while to figure out what is missing.
Your smartphone doesn’t just hold your valuables; it signals to intruders which of your valuables are the most important to you. If something is on the phone you always have with you, then by definition, it rates.
How to keep my phone safe from hackers?
Depending on how concerned you are about the protection of your data, there is a wide range of steps that can be taken to be extra safe. From using a VPN to shutting off your mobile data, most of them are intrusive or even irritating.
Smartphones are small devices that can easily get lost or stolen, and they are constantly online sending and receiving signals, so they are always a target for criminals. To keep your phone and its contents away from prying eyes and sticky fingers, you need to develop a strategy for protecting your valuable information.
The Dangerous Phone Hacking Apps
The following is the list of the apps that Android wants you to delete.
- Security Master – Antivirus, VPN, AppLock, Booster
- Desktop sharing
- 360 Security – Free Antivirus, Booster, Cleaner
- Antivirus Android
- Any Desk.
- RemotePC
- Chrome Remote Desktop
- Team Viewer
- Super Cleaner – Antivirus, Booster, Phone Cleaner
- Antivirus Free – Virus Cleaner
- Virus Cleaner, Antivirus, Cleaner (MAX Security)
- Super Phone Cleaner: Virus Cleaner, Phone Cleaner
- Super Security – Antivirus, Booster & AppLock
- Antivirus & Virus Cleaner (Applock, Clean, Boost)
- 360 Security Lite – Booster, Cleaner, AppLock
On the iOS side of things, these apps were blacklisted the most:
- Pokémon GO
- WinZip Utilities
- CamScanner Productivity
- Plex
- Facebook Messenger
- eBay Kleinanzeigen(Phone Hacking)
- Netease News
- Device Alive
Here are some tips on how to protect your smartphone from hackers and intruders:
Best security tips to keep people and apps from stealing your data
Update your OS and apps:
Software companies are constantly updating software for cosmetic reasons, and not just. Many software updates and bug fixes contain security improvements that help protect your smartphone from data breaches and intrusions, and close vulnerabilities, making it harder for hackers to breakthrough. When an update is announced for your smartphone’s operating system or for any of the apps you use, install it without delay.(Hacking)
Avoid public Wi-Fi
By now, everyone should be aware of the dangers of using open Wi-Fi for anything, because free public Wi-Fi in shopping malls, cafes, airports or any other public venue is open season for all kinds of online mischief. Just try using your private cellular connection whenever possible and switch off Wi-Fi on your mobile phone when you’re in a public place. If this is not possible, consider using a VPN app, a utility that tunnels network communications through an encrypted connection.
But choose carefully — not all VPNs are of the same standard. Do suggest disabling Bluetooth while you’re out and about unless you’re wearing a smartwatch that requires it.
Lock your smartphone
Always set up a four or six-digit passcode to enter your device. Passcodes may not be super convenient, but peace of mind dictates that if your smartphone falls out of your pocket while you’re trying out new Ikea sofas, the first person to pick it up should not be able to get your life story out of your emails, contacts, photos, and banking information.
Consider setting an even longer passcode for numbers as well as letters. Not a big fan of the passcodes? No worry. Fingerprint scanning and Face ID are simple, quick alternatives to numerical punching. While you’re at it, make sure that passwords are also locked behind apps with personal information.
Keep your mobile phone number private
Just as you don’t give out your old landline phone number to anyone who asked for it, don’t automatically give your mobile number to any app that prompts you to do so. The more places your number has, the more vulnerable you are to SMS intrusions and scams, and even to the invasion of your protected 2FA accounts.
Don’t overshare on social media
While it’s fine to use your real name on social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, avoid sharing a ton of revealing information about yourself on social networks. Avoid listing home towns, specific addresses, specific work locations, phone numbers, family names, and other details hackers can use to track you.
Use two-factor authentication
Here’s another disgusting safety measure most people can’t stand. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is hated because it requires an extra step, and if you forget to have your phone or watch close up, it is really a pain. But it serves a purpose, like passwords, by providing an extra layer of protection in case someone gets ahold of your password.
Use strong passwords
Everyone hates passwords, but don’t take half measures when assigning them. Use only strong passwords that hackers don’t crack easily. They should contain 16-20 characters with a mix of letters and numbers, upper and lower case letters, and symbols. Brute force password crackers will still remove a lot of strong passwords, but making it easy for hackers to use your birthday, your pet’s name or the same password for everything is a really bad idea.
Beware of spam and phishing emails
One of the easiest ways hackers can invade your phone and access your information is through your email inbox. Phishing scams are designed to trick you into giving access to your accounts. Avoid clicking on links in promotional emails, opening suspicious attachments, or running app updates prompted by an email. Do not try to access financial accounts through random emails, but instead go directly to the website of the financial institution and sign in with the proper username and password.
Manage app permissions
Only download apps from Google and Apple’s stores
Don’t just download any old app on your phone. While your choice of iPhone apps is limited to Apple’s App Store, which vets all apps sold on the platform, Android apps can easily be sideloaded, which simply means downloading and installing them from a source other than the Google Play Store. However, you do need to dig in and allow the settings. The best way to avoid Android malware is to stick with the selections available from the Google Play Store that are checked by Google. Never download apps via text message, as this is an infamous method that hackers use to inject malware directly into your phone.
Executive summary
- High-risk vulnerabilities have been found in 38 percent of iOS mobile apps and 43 percent of Android apps.
- Hackers rarely need physical access to a smartphone to steal data: 89 percent of vulnerabilities can be exploited using malware.
- Most instances are attributable to flaws in security mechanisms (74 percent and 57 percent for iOS and Android devices, respectively, and 42 percent for server-side components). Because such bugs are happening during the design stage, addressing them requires significant code changes.
- Many cyber attacks(Phone Hacking) rely on user inattention. Escalated privileges or sideloaded software can pave the way for a damaging attack.
- The majority of security issues are identified on both platforms. Secure data storage is the most common issue identified in 76% of mobile applications. Passwords, financial information, personal data and correspondence are at risk.
Final Verdict:
Hackers love targeting mobile devices, which are rich with personal data and payment card information. Our results indicate that developers of mobile applications often neglect security, with the main issue being insecure data storage. User information stored in cleartext unmasked data in screenshots, and keys and passwords in source code are just a few of the flaws that offer opportunities to cyberattackers.