Cell phone hacking sounds like something that only occurs in espionage stories and spy movies. However, people with moderate technical skills can gain access to your cell phone in order to listen to voicemails, siphon money from your accounts and eavesdrop on your private conversations. But you can implement simple phone hacking preventions to keep your phone more secure.
What hackers hope to achieve from hacking your phone? Tell us in the comments.
[Read also: Is Hacking an Inside Job?]
Watch What You Download
Just like a computer, spyware and malware can be sent via phone apps and email. These harmful programs are made to circumvent Internet security applications, and they will give the hacker to full access to your accounts and contacts. If an email or app seems questionable, do not download it.
Safeguard Your Passwords
Passwords are the hacker’s golden key to cell phone (Read: How Safe Are Cell Phones?) access. Always use your voice mail’s password protection function. You should also change your system’s password once every few months with hard-to-guess passwords. And of course, each account should have a completely different password.
Keep Your Phone Updated
Many of the updates sent to your phone are designed to patch holes in various apps and the phone’s system itself. These holes can be exploited by hackers looking to gain access to your phone. As soon as an update becomes available, download it.
[Read also: Simple Instructions on How to Secure Data on Your Cell Phone]
Anti-Theft Software
Anti-theft software can be installed on your phone, and it comes in handy if your cell falls into the wrong hands. This software will allow you to remotely lock and wipe your phone via an sms message. In addition, the software can give you real-time location information to help you recover your phone.
Shut Off Bluetooth
Many phone hacks are done through Bluetooth. So when you are not using Bluetooth, shut it off.
Spoof Your Number
Some providers allow access to your voice mail without needing a password if the calling number (Caller ID) is actually yours. Hackers can spoof your number and call the voice mail number on your provider and operate your voice mail as though it was his/her own without to even know your password. For a nominal fee, you can use a number spoofing service. When you make a call, the recipient’s caller ID will show a phone number that is different from your actual number.
Switch It Off
Alright, this may not be a popular choice but if you are not going to use your phone or don’t want to be disturbed for a short while, consider this option instead of putting it on silent or vibrate mode.
Although the aforementioned tips may seem like a lot of work, the time and effort is well worth it when it comes to protecting your phone and accounts. Remember, a secure phone will save you money and aggravation.
What can you do to prevent cell phone hacking? Please share.
hacking is the biggest evil out here. But you have given here some wonderful tips to save our phones. Thank you peter.
Hackers are turning to phone hacking these days as more and more people are using cell phones especially smartphones. These are some simple tips to help prevent phone hacking and I’m glad you find it useful. Thanks for stopping by Andy.
Peter Lee recently posted..Are Tablets Becoming The Preferred Computing Choice?
Smartphones of today are so easy to get hacked into. Not only these type of phones but laptops, as well. If you don’t want your email account to get hacked, choose a password that doesn’t contain words that can be found in the dictionary. Mix your password with numbers, too.
Yeah, always use strong passwords. Thanks for commenting Peter
Peter Lee recently posted..Educational Computer Games
simply password protect your contacts and everything to it ..you will be safe
Amit recently posted..How to make money developing Android Apps?
Remember to always use a strong password which is harder to guess. Thanks for visiting Amit.
Peter Lee recently posted..Smartphones: The Battle of the Operating Systems
I really need this badly because there was a time when my cell phone was hacked and I can no longer turn it on or use it. It is quite annoying because there are people who are really good at this. They thought that what they are doing is right. Thanks a lot for this very helpful blog of yours.
I’m sorry to hear that you’re one of the victims Liane, hope it didn’t cause you much trouble. Cell phones hacking is so common these days and we should be more alert on this. Thanks for stopping by.
Peter Lee recently posted..How To Speed Up Your Computer
Actually I think this is only useful for those couples that are cheating on one another. But thanks that can even be prevented. Great post
Odesanya Taiwo recently posted..Country Music Great Haggard Hospitalized With Pneumonia
Thanks Odesanya.
Peter Lee recently posted..How To Maintain Security At The Office
Yes Peter. It did gave me a problem but now I already know what to do. Thanks a lot for your great help.
Click on the ‘Reply’ link to continue the conversation next time Liane, thanks.
Peter Lee recently posted..How Safe Are Cell Phones?
Hi Peter,
Getting your cellphone hacked really sounds scary. I don’t do online business transactions using my cellphone and I don’t keep sensitive information saved on it.
I’ve been using the same password for a while now so this might be the best time to change it. I’m not using an anti-theft software but I like the features that you mentioned and I’m thinking of having one installed.
Thanks for the tips, Peter. We really should be more careful with our cellphones since we’re using it more and more everyday.
Theresa Torres recently posted..Start a Home Business: Where Businesses Go for Startup Dough
I’m glad you find my tips helpful Theresa and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Peter Lee recently posted..5 iPad Accessories You Should Own
Actually, I have no knowledge to check or even aware if someone hack/attack to my smartphone. Maybe I am too new to smartphone, I will also not to store any important thing in my smartphone either.
Tan recently posted..Delicious varieties That You May Try in Breakfast Sausages!
The tips above will greatly reduce the chances of your phone being hacked. Thanks for commenting Tan.
Peter Lee recently posted..How To Stay Safe Online
This post has really got me scared. I’m not a techie and the simple thought of my phone being hacked gives me the chills. I’ll go again through the tips and try to implement them…OMG, it’s a crazy world out there
Susane recently posted..What Are The Duties Of A Phlebotomist?
Yeah Susane, it’s really is a crazy world out there. It’s always good to read and learn so that we could stay alert and protect ourselves. Thanks for dropping by.
Peter Lee recently posted..Get Fit with Kinect Fitness Games
This is really interesting Peter. I wonder how hackers would do that. This is just tells us that even though you locked your phone or even though you have the latest face unlock feature, it is still necessary to be careful in using our cellphones.
Good to hear from you Veronica… Where have you been ?
Peter Lee recently posted..Social Media Apps Changing Smartphone Functions
The term cell phones hacking is new to me. Well all tips described in the post are pretty awesome to prevent from hacking. Regularly updating mobile phone is a good idea to overcome this problem.
Thank you for taking the time to upload these tips. You said it perfectly at the top of the post when you mentioned that phone hacking was once something that you only would expect to see in spy movies. Now though, as our phones literally become more and more like computers each day we open the door further and further for experienced computer hackers to find a new way to steal our information and details. The security measure you’ve listed above are fantastic and should be taken into consideration by EVERYONE who has a phone that has been made in the last 10 years!
Believeing that your info is safe and private on your phone is a thing of the past – protect yourself, now!
Anita.
I’d probably recommend switching off the bluetooth on your phone for more than just security against cell phone hacking. It wastes a lot of battery and most people don’t even use it anyway.
I tend to leave it off by default and only enable it when I need it, eg. when I want to send a file or photo to a friend’s phone.
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