Traditionally a headache reserved for celebrities, smartphone hacking has broken through the blood–brain barrier between VIPs and everyone else, and is now a genuine concern for anyone who owns a mobile phone.
But is it really a serious problem for us, ordinary people?
Are our voicemails really so interesting that someone would invade our privacy just to listen to them? Before getting into the question of narcissism, it’s better to look at what phone hacking actually is, and whether you really need to worry about it.
The security risks of phone hacking
There are many kinds of phone hacking methods, ranging from hacking into someone’s live conversation or voicemail to breaking into the data stored on a person’s smartphone. While fear of the unknown can keep anyone on edge, the person most likely to hack your live conversation or voicemail will be someone you already know, and in today’s mobile world, phone hacking is becoming an increasingly important security issue. As people store ever more sensitive data on their mobile devices, the opportunity to exploit privacy weaknesses becomes more tempting for friends, ex-partners or unscrupulous strangers.
There is a cottage industry of phone hacking software, ostensibly developed for legitimate uses, but which can easily be used by anyone (the aptly named password crackers John the Ripper and Cain and Abel are two examples). Opportunistic hackers can wreak havoc by deleting data or installing malware that harvests bank account logins and confidential work emails. So how can you make life harder for hackers?
How to secure your phone against hackers
If you want to be proactive, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself from phone hacking, most of which rely on basic common sense. On top of that, there are more advanced methods to make sure your phone is as secure as possible (without losing all its functions). For example:
Basic phone security tips
For casual phone users, sticking to the basics is a good starting point to block simple hacking attempts: Never leave your phone unattended. Keeping your phone on you at all times in a public place is the first and best rule to follow.
Change your phone’s default passcode.
Your phone probably came with a simple, predictable default password, and anyone who knows it can use that to their advantage. Change your code to something more complex, and avoid the usual “1234”, “0000” and “2580” codes that are commonly used.
Manage your Bluetooth security.
Avoid using unsecured Bluetooth networks and switch off your Bluetooth service when you’re not using it.
Protect your PIN and credit card data.
Use a protected app to store your PINs and credit card details, or better still, don’t store them on your phone at all.
Advanced methods to prevent phone hacking
If hacking still worries you, you can take further steps to protect yourself. However, if you go too far, you lose much of the point of having a smartphone.
Avoid unsecured public Wi‑Fi networks.
Hackers often target high‑value accounts, such as online banking, via public Wi‑Fi, which is often unsecured because of weaker, or even non‑existent, security standards.
Disable your autocomplete feature.
This will help prevent access to critical personal data that’s stored on your device. Regularly delete your browsing history, cookies and cache. Clearing your digital footprint is important to minimise the amount of data that can be harvested by prying eyes.
Got an iPhone? Turn on “Find My iPhone”.
By enabling this feature in your settings, you’ll be able to locate your phone if you misplace it, before hackers can get their hands on it.
Use a security app that adds extra protection.
For Android owners, Webroot offers the all‑in‑one Mobile Security for Android app, which provides antivirus protection and lets you locate, lock and wipe your phone remotely if you lose track of it. For iOS users, Webroot also offers a free secure web browser for enhanced mobile security on your iPhone and iPad.
Remember: If the thought of getting hacked keeps you awake at night, you can simply switch off your phone, remove the battery and hide it under your pillow for some sweet lithium‑ion dreams. You can also strengthen the security of your mobile devices with mobile security solutions that offer secure web browsing and real‑time defence against phishing attacks.
