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 voice mails, 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.
[Read also: Is Hacking an Inside Job?]
What hackers hope to achieve from hacking your phone? Tell us in the comments.
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 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.
[Read more: 10 Tips to Stay Smart When Using Your Smartphone]
What can you do to prevent cell phone hacking? Please share.
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.
my husbands cell appears to have been hacked by someone we know. Many odd things happen with the phone and many calls to the voicemail on the call log but do not show up on the actual phone. How do we find proof so we can turn him in?
Thanks for the useful information. My question is regarding using femtocells to hack. Hackers can fool your cell into connecting to their “tower” and thus intercept calls, texts, etc. How can you tell if this is going on, and how do you prevent it? This is very likely the case in my situation.