Smartphones are a widespread gadget nowadays. However, because of its 24/7 connection to the internet and the growth of hackers worldwide, your smartphone requires constant protection from malware.
About half of the world’s population owns a smartphone, and it’s estimated that another billion will own one in the next coming years. However, alongside this, the number of data breaches has also increased throughout the years.
There had been almost ten billion malware attacks in 2019, double the number of people owning smartphones back then. It decreased in 2020 to five billion because of new updates and security measures done by smartphone manufacturers. However, experts argue that it would only be a matter of time before hackers find out how to bypass those security measures and double the number of malware attacks again.
With this in mind, it’s vital that you proactively secure your smartphone, especially if it is connected to the internet 24/7. Here are some ways you can do that.
Turn off the Wi-Fi Whenever You can
The very first thing you should be doing is disconnecting from the internet when you can. This means that you shouldn’t be connected to the internet when you are not using your smartphone, like when you’re asleep. This is because certain malware can enter your smartphone through automated updates or from public Wi-Fi. This is more common for Android phones because their apps aren’t as strictly regulated as iOS, Apple’s firmware. By turning off your Wi-Fi, you can stop this from happening. This also means that you should turn off automated updates on your smartphone.
Set Your Bluetooth to Non-discoverable
You might think that hackers no longer use Bluetooth to access your phone, but some hackers stay in coffee shops or public areas to do this. Known as ‘campers,’ these hackers find smartphones that have their Bluetooth on and access it through malware. They can browse the internet, make calls, or even install tracking devices on your phone.
One way to stop this from happening is to set your Bluetooth to non-discoverable. Better yet, turn off your Bluetooth entirely. In this way, they can’t access your smartphone by Bluetooth.
Make Sure to Mannually Approve or Deny App Installations
Apps can be a sure way for your smartphone to get infected, especially if apps in your phone can be installed automatically. You should be able to approve all sorts of app installations and decline when you feel suspicious of a particular app. Notifications should also be sent to you whether if an app is ready to install or not. If you didn’t download that app and it wants to install itself into your smartphone, there is a massive chance of malware.
Download or Subscribe to a Security System
If you have the extra money for it, then you should consider subscribing to a security system. There are many legit security systems right now that can keep your smartphone protected. For example, they can encrypt your user data, making it harder for hackers to enter your system. Furthermore, they can take the extra steps to secure your files and warn you of data breaches.
They can also keep track of your activities and notify you of your more dangerous ones. In this way, you can proactively stop doing unsafe browsing on your phone.
Use VPN When You’re in Other Countries
VPNs are also something you should invest in if you’re planning to stay in another country for a couple of months or years. This is because VPNs can help mask your IP, which hackers use to enter your system. M masking your IP pushes them to go the extra mile to hack your system, which most hackers don’t do. This can also mask your presence when using the wifi in public areas like coffee shops.
Factory Reset
Factory resets are your best bet if your smartphone is filled with malware or functioning abnormally slow. But this can be risky because you can lose a lot of files in the process. A good smartphone repair shop should be able to factory reset your phone in instances that it’s filled with viruses and other malware. Once you’ve reached this point, you should back up any files important to you, such as pictures or office files, however, take caution in doing so, as they might be infected as well. Ask the repair shop what would be your best course of action when handling this situation. They might have some services on an offer that can help you back up your files.
We suggest you do this every year because it will help your smartphone stay away from viruses and malware you might not be aware of. Additionally, it can keep your phone functioning at an optimal level.
During this modern time, we should keep ourselves protected from all sorts of malware and viruses. Through the ways we have mentioned above, you can make malware so difficult to attack your smartphone. Make sure to do these things as often as you can so you can keep your smartphone secure.
