By Julian Castillo
Jun 14, 2024, 7:40 PM EDT
In a digitalized world, Our mobile phones store a large amount of personal and professional information. Protecting these devices is more crucial than ever, and a simple but effective recommendation from the United States National Security Agency (NSA) can make a difference: turn off your phone regularly.
Malicious connection interruption
Turning off your phone at least once a week interrupts any flow of information that hackers may be taking advantage of.. The reboot breaks connections established by attackers, making it difficult for them to continue accessing the system and removing any temporary malicious code present in the device’s memory.
Several smartphone manufacturers, such as Samsung and OnePlus, have implemented options to schedule automatic restarts. Google and Apple also offer similar features on their Pixel and iPhone devices, respectively, allowing Automatic reboots after updates to ensure the operating system is always in its most secure state.
NSA recommendations
1. Use of biometric authentication
The NSA recommends using biometric authentication methods, such as facial recognition or fingerprints, which are more secure than traditional passwords.
2. Original charging cables
Using original charging cables avoids risks associated with unauthorized accessories that could compromise the safety of the device.
3. Disable Bluetooth
Disabling Bluetooth when not in use is crucial, as attackers can take advantage of open connections to access the device without the user’s knowledge.
4. Software Updates
Keeping the operating system and applications up to date is essential, as updates often include security patches that fix recent vulnerabilities.
5. Location services
Disabling location services when they are not needed prevents attackers from tracking the user’s movements.
6. Automatic device lock
Setting your device to automatically lock after multiple failed login attempts prevents hackers from having unlimited attempts to guess the unlock code.
Caution with attachments and links
NSA warns about the risk of opening attachments or links in emailseven if they appear to come from known senders, to avoid phishing techniques.
The cybersecurity of our mobile devices should not be taken lightly. Turning off and restarting your phone regularly, along with the other practices recommended by the NSA, can make a big difference in protecting against cyber attacks.
Keep reading:
– Find out which is the easiest device to hack in your home
– The Lazarus heist: the theft of $14 million that hackers carried out in two hours at ATMs around the world
– Hackers discover how to access your TikTok account through direct messages