How to Prevent Hacking on Your Phone in 2023

Regardless of whether you use an iPhone or an Android, any phone that is connected to the internet is susceptible to hacking. And since your phone also has important data that hackers are looking for, you don’t have to be a celebrity to become a target of cybercriminals.

A cybercriminal may access your social media accounts, emails, media files, passwords, and more if your phone is stolen. They can even steal your identity and credit card details. You need to spend money on a phone defense system to stop all of this.

Here are tips to Prevent Hacking on Your Phone in 2023

1. Use an antivirus and VPN

Although Google and Apple have decent built-in security, you will still need an antivirus and a separate VPN to get the best protection possible from hackers. An antivirus scans your computer for viruses and malware and prevents them from hurting it, but a VPN secures your device by encrypting your internet traffic.

2. Update the software on your phone.

Updating your phone’s operating system (OS) and apps is essential. Regular system upgrades from Google and Apple contain both new functionality and essential security patches. Updates are essential for shielding your device from threats. They are developed expressly to guard against exploits and vulnerabilities, protecting the security of your phone.

Consider activating auto-updates if you want to further increase the security of your device. This guarantees that you never miss a significant patch release and keeps your phone current with the most recent security precautions. Although it makes sense that installing a new software update could have a tiny negative impact on your phone’s performance, it is a modest price to pay considering the possible risks of having a compromised or hacked device.

3. Download apps only from reliable sources.

When installing mobile applications on your device, it’s critical to exercise caution to protect the privacy of your personal information. Starting with trustworthy sources is the best course of action. Keep your program downloads to recognized sources, such as the Apple program Store, Google Play Store, or other respected stores. Before being accepted, apps made accessible on these platforms go through security evaluations and virus scans, providing a certain level of safety.

You can rely on a reliable antivirus program like Norton 360 if you’re unsure whether the software you downloaded is reliable. By providing both real-time and manual scans to find malware and other possible dangers on your device, Norton offers thorough security.

4. Use robust and distinctive passwords

To prevent your phone from being compromised, you must follow the finest password security best practices. Using original passwords and often changing them are required for this. Change the passwords for your email accounts, social media accounts, and any other accounts you have signed in on your smartphone after changing the password for your Apple ID or Google Play account.

5. Learn how to remotely lock or wipe your phone.

To locate your phone in the event that it is lost or stolen, Apple offers Find My iPhone and Android offers Find My Device. These technologies may also be configured to lock your device and wipe all data, preventing criminals from accessing your information. However, they go beyond simple device tracking.

Even if having to remotely erase your device is less than ideal, it’s crucial that you become comfortable with the procedure. It’s important to have a current backup since erasing your device would result in the loss of all the data it contains.

6. Make Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) available.

A quick and effective security measure that increases the security of your online accounts is two-factor authentication (2FA). As the name implies, 2FA increases security by requesting additional information from you once you enter your login and password.

While using any type of 2FA is preferable than having no protection at all, it’s crucial to pick the most secure one.

7. When granting app permissions, use caution

Remember that not all applications can be trusted with your data, even if you only download them from reputable stores like the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Many applications frequently ask for permission to access private data like your contacts, images, and location. Giving these rights can appear innocent at first, but if the app is later hacked or exploited, it could pose a privacy risk.

8. Don’t root or jailbreak your phone.

The act of eliminating software limitations imposed by the device’s operating system is referred to as jailbreaking (for iOS) or rooting (for Android) your phone. Although it could be alluring to add more features or personalize your smartphone, there are serious hazards involved.

9. Precautions for Phishing and Spam Emails and Text Messages

Watch out for phishing emails and fraudulent websites that try to get you to give your credentials. Always be sure the website or email is legitimate before entering your login information. Many of these threats will be caught by your email service’s spam bin, but not all of them will be kept out of your inbox.

10. Examine the settings on your browser.

Search for any unwelcome additions or alterations that were introduced without your awareness. Unknown homepages, search engines, or extensions may be among these modifications.

Reset your browser’s settings to their default state if you notice any unusual modifications. This may be done through the options or settings menu of your browser. Additionally, you may stop any unwanted modifications and return your browser to a more secure and dependable setting.