To safeguard your phone from potential hackers, it’s crucial to implement security measures for your data protection. In the modern era, mobile phones serve as our all-in-one tool for various tasks, including social media interactions, email access, and online banking management, consolidating sensitive information into a single device.
While the convenience of having all these functions in one place is undeniable, it also poses a security risk from cybercriminals seeking unauthorized access to personal data. A cybersecurity specialist on Instagram highlighted five essential actions that individuals can take immediately to enhance their phone’s security.
Broadwire Networks, in a shared video, emphasized the importance of configuring five key settings on smartphones to bolster security, a process that they claimed could be completed in just five minutes.
One vulnerability highlighted was the presence of lockscreen previews, allowing unauthorized access to text messages and notifications without the need for authentication, potentially exposing sensitive information if the device is lost or stolen.
Particularly concerning is the risk posed by two-factor authentication codes that, if intercepted via lockscreen previews, could compromise sensitive applications like banking platforms. Configuring lockscreen notification settings varies across phone models, typically accessible in the notification settings menu, enabling users to customize visibility options for different types of notifications.
While software updates may seem inconvenient, delaying them could expose devices to potential cyber threats, as updates often address security vulnerabilities exploited by hackers, as advised by the cybersecurity expert.
Granting location access to certain apps like mapping services is essential for their functionality. However, users should review and restrict location permissions for non-essential applications to prevent unauthorized tracking of their whereabouts.
The expert recommended utilizing password managers to enhance security by generating complex, unique passwords for each account, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information like emails and financial accounts.
For added security, the expert advocated for authenticator apps over traditional two-factor authentication via text messages, citing the former’s superior safety in generating secure codes for various applications, such as emails, work tools, and financial platforms.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.