WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR MOBILE PHONE (SMARTPHONE) IS HACKED?

Seeing your smartphone hacked is now a daily risk. These devices have taken such a place in our lives that they have become personal assistants. A smartphone now allows you to manage your diary, search for information via the web, or even use practical tools via applications.

There are many ways available for a virus or a hacker to enter a smartphone. And there are many aspects to smartphone hacking. Some of them may seem negligible to us, yet all of them are a potential danger.

What Does it Mean to Have Your Smartphone Hacked and What Are the Possible Risks?

The broadest definition that we can give to smartphone hacking must be the one to consider in order to optimize its security. Hacking is unauthorized access to the smartphone. This access can be done remotely by a hacker, or nearby by a relative. Someone looking at your smartphone without your permission is already a form of hacking. And a risk. It may seem trivial, but someone who views your messages without your permission is intruding into your privacy. A said person accesses information about you without your consent.

Obviously, if it is someone you trust, there is nothing to worry about most of the time. But if, during a party, a new meeting borrows your phone, who says that she is not looking for information? Of course, the goal is not necessarily espionage. Still, it could be figuring out how to seduce you, manipulate yourself, or just find a topic of conversation. Again, there are not always bad intentions, but prudence is the mother of reason.

In the most serious cases, having your smartphone hacked by really malicious people can have disastrous consequences. These may include posts on social networks, under your account. This can go so far as to ruin your reputation and create tension. It can also be a matter of actually leading to blackmail. In the case of remote hacking, this can still manifest as a virus.

In short, the very act of hacking can really ruin your personal, daily, and even professional life . The cases of people made redundant for publications on social networks do exist. Subject to technical knowledge, hacking a smartphone remains accessible. While good intentions do not necessarily reign in this world, we must therefore guard against such acts. Fortunately, measures exist precisely to avoid this type of inconvenience.

What Measures Should be Taken to Prevent Piracy?

Secure proximity access to the smartphone

The first important steps concern securing access to your smartphone. It is necessary to use a security code to limit access. This code is now associated with verification by fingerprint, facial recognition or iris scanner to strengthen access security. Currently, facial recognition is not recommended because it is not very effective. It has been shown that a simple photo is enough to fool recognition. However, a simple photo can be very easy to obtain.

This first security already makes it possible to limit the access that can be qualified as proximity. It is therefore important not to disclose your security code.

Likewise, it is also important to choose a reliable code, with as many digits as possible. In absolute terms, it is even recommended to change this code regularly. The same is true in the case of mobile applications. If it is possible to secure their access via a code, it is recommended to do so. Thus, it is better to never ask a device, smartphone, tablet or computer, to memorize the identifiers. This reduces security to zero in the event of an intrusion on the personal device.

Finally, the smartphone is a personal tool. You must therefore always know where it is, and have it close at hand or in your field of vision. Making sure that no one takes it, without permission, is one of the most important things to respect.

Wireless Connection Security (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi)

When a smartphone is connected via Bluetooth, it is exposed. It is therefore not necessary to constantly activate this connection mode, but really only when it is needed. It is indeed very practical for various devices to be connected together. However, it is an open door to hacker intrusions who could then recover more or less important personal data.

You should also be wary of free Wi-Fi access. They are common in a bar, cafe and fast food establishments. However, a person connected to the same network can have access to all the data available on this said network. Free access generally does not present any real security. It is therefore better to promote connections secured by access codes. With a smartphone, it is also better to favour mobile data more than free Wi-Fi networks. However, this implies having a package that allows a certain consumption of this mobile data in 4G.

Finally, when you install an application via the internet, it must be done systematically via the dedicated service of your OS in order to avoid inconvenience. For each application installed, limit its access as much as possible to what appears necessary. In addition, although it is painful, take the time to read the conditions of use to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Also, watch out for questionable calls. You should never call back an unknown number if the other party does not leave a voice message that clearly indicates the purpose of the call. You should also never take into account SMS which mentions a message to listen to on a particular number. Likewise, you must not call back an unknown number that asks to be called back without reason. Most of the time, these are surcharged numbers that make the bill soar.

During some calls, there may be some sort of echo on the line or even a crackle. Most of the time it is a simple network failure. But in other cases, it can mean the line is bugged. The phreaking is a practice much more common than we think. In the event of fries on the line or other oddities, it is better to cut short the conversation and not to broach important subjects. 

Identify and Fight Against Hacking of your Mobile?

While the threats are numerous and real, users are not helpless in the face of them. It is indeed possible to guard against many dangers.

Questionable messages: signs of a threat

Several clues make it possible to fight against the pirating of your smartphone. On the one hand, there is a number of fraudulent messages. Receiving it has become more or less normal. However, a large amount may indicate that the phone number is already too well known. In this case, it is better to contact your operator and, if the number of fraudulent calls and messages becomes too great, ask to change the number. Note also that a large number of fraudulent SMS messages can indicate the presence of malware.

It is also important to check its notifications, especially those related to social networks. This is to ensure that no unwanted posts have been posted on it. If any posts were put there even though you haven't recently logged in, there has been a hack. In this case, you must first change your login credentials to social networks. Then, it is advisable to delete the unwanted posts and publish an explanation to return to what happened. If this is not necessarily necessary, it is better to do it if the posts made without your knowledge were harmful.

Unknown Applications and Disproportionate Bills: Indicators to Watch

A smartphone that is slowed down, that restarts on its own, or has other types of malfunction can be a sign of the presence of malware or spyware. If so, you need to install software that eliminates such malware. The most popular and popular for smartphones is Malwarebytes. The latter is available on iOS, Android and Windows.

Besides installing an application to protect yourself, there are other tips to put into practice. Thus, do not hesitate to consult your operator account regularly. This allows you to check your mobile data usage and calls made. If the invoice shows an unusual amount, a hack may be at the origin. The exorbitant amount can be explained by calls abroad that you did not make. Faced with this situation, you must contact your operator immediately and ask for the details of the calls.

Finally, check the applications present on the smartphone. This is to spot apps that you might not have installed. If any unwanted apps appear, then remove them without hesitation. If in doubt, a quick internet search can provide information on the nature of the application and whether its presence is normal or not.

Smartphones, The Devices Most Affected by viruses

All these organizations are categorical: today, the smartphone environment is subjected to the most malware attacks of all kinds. Protecting, at all costs, your mobile phone is, therefore, necessary in order to enjoy it in peace. Install this complete security software to protect these types of virus.