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According to a new study, approximately half of UK youth (49%) haven’t yet installed protection software. Some of them are unsure if their cell phone has protection software. As a result, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access has never been more essential.
When stolen data gets into the wrong hands, hackers may use it to commit fraud. Such as submitting for loans or credit cards in the names of the victims, or accessing bank accounts and withdrawing money.
Ways to Stay Safe from Hackers
Following are some ways to stay safe and protect your data or personal information from hackers:
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Be Careful of Public Wi-Fi
Don’t access personal or financial data with public Wi-Fi. Hackers may use a ‘man-in-the-middle’ attack. Where a hacker accesses financial data, passwords, and sign-in information over a public network, to threaten public Wi-Fi hotspots.
This may seem obvious, but you’d be shocked how many people use public Wi-Fi to check their bank accounts or make credit card transactions. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) program when you’re using public Wi-Fi. While using a free Wi-Fi link, a VPN can prevent data from unauthorized people by encrypting online information and keeping personally identifiable information secure. It’s preferable to do so over a safe network.
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Switch Off Sharing Options
When you are not using it, turn off the ‘sharing’ options. Mobile features that share a position can use with care and switch off. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, location services, mobile data, and Near – field communication Communication (NFC) are all vulnerable to hacking. Bluetooth location tracking, in particular, are vulnerable because they relay a device’s position and identity.
Hackers can easily gain access to personal data and details through settings that label a smartphone as ‘visible,’ so make sure to turn them when not using it.
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Install Legitimate Applications
Another way to expose your private information to hackers is to install unauthorized software. Apps found on certain platforms or in third-party app stores are often infected with malware and so can access the data once downloaded. Users can only download applications from official app stores. Which are: the App Store for iOS, Google Play for Android, and also AppGallery for Huawei.
Just download applications from reputable outlets with a clear track record. Please ensure your devices and applications are up to date, and also get rid of any outdated apps you aren’t using.
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Be Cautious of App Permissions
App permissions should avoid at all costs. When you first install the app, it will ask you for permission to access those functions or details on your phone. Apps may ask for a variety of permissions. Because in need of some functions to operate, from your photostream to your microphone, venue, or phone address book.
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Avoid Using auto-login
Although it’s best to use different passwords for different online accounts instead of the same one. Auto-login allows hackers to access sensitive information by accessing an app or URL. For those who are prone to losing several passwords, keep a secret, login credentials note on their phone or in a memo that stores safe and secure.
It’s not about using your smartphone that exposes your sensitive information to hackers. What happens if your smartphone is lost or damaged? We offer some helpful advice for those who may find themselves in this situation and would like to protect their personal information:
- To begin, record the cell phone as missing to the phone company, who will be able to suspend or disable the device’s operation. If the smartphone gets into the wrong hands, this will help deter any unauthorized use.
- If the phone has a report stolen, contact the police, who’ll be able to give a police report that can use to notify an insurance company.
Summing It Up!!!
Our phones hold a large amount of data, and if you don’t secure it properly, your personally identifiable information might easily fall into the wrong hands. It is necessary to assure information store on a cell phone. Hackers are always coming up with new ways to get their hands on our information, so we hope that by sharing our advice, we can help other people prevent being victims of identity theft.