NSA issues warning to iPhone and Android users — do this to stop hackers
What are the recommended steps by the NSA to keep mobile devices safe from hackers?
The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) has issued several recommendations to help keep mobile devices safe from hackers. Here are some of the key steps you can take to protect your iPhone or Android phone:
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Regularly Restart Your Phone: Restarting your phone at least once a week can help defend against zero-click exploits and other attacks. This simple practice can be effective at keeping your device protected from hackers.
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Update Your Devices: Frequently updating your devices and installing the latest patches as soon as they become available is crucial. This helps protect against known vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit.
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Enable Google Play Protect: If you're using an Android phone, make sure Google Play Protect is enabled. It scans all your existing apps and any new ones you download for malware.
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Use Antivirus Software: For added protection on Android phones, consider using one of the best Android antivirus apps. Some of these apps offer useful extras like a VPN or a password manager.
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Secure Your iPhone: Keeping your iPhone safe from malware is more complicated because Apple prevents iOS apps from scanning for malware. You may need to turn to one of the best Mac antivirus software solutions, which can scan an iPhone or iPad for malware when the device is connected to a Mac using a USB cable.
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Avoid Sideloading Apps: If you're using an Android phone, avoid sideloading apps as they could contain malware since they don't go through the same rigorous security checks as ones from official app stores.
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Check App Ratings and Reviews: To avoid bad apps, check their ratings and reviews to ensure they actually do what they should.
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Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi: When connected to public Wi-Fi, use a VPN to encrypt your traffic and protect your data from potential eavesdropping5.
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Disable Bluetooth When Not in Use: To minimize potential vulnerabilities, disable Bluetooth when you're not using it.
By following these steps, you can significantly improve the security of your mobile device and protect your sensitive personal and financial information from hackers.
What specific cybersecurity threats do iPhone and Android users currently face according to the news article?
According to the news article, iPhone and Android users currently face various cybersecurity threats. Some of the key threats mentioned in the article include:
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Zero-click exploits: These are attacks that can infect a smartphone without the user doing anything at all, such as clicking on a malicious link or downloading a compromised app.
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Malicious apps: Apps that contain malware can be downloaded from app stores or sideloaded onto the device, bypassing the security checks of official app stores2.
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Phishing attacks and impersonation scams: These are attempts to trick users into revealing sensitive information or taking actions that compromise their security by impersonating legitimate entities.
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Banking trojans and spyware: These are types of malware that target banking credentials or aim to steal sensitive information from the device.
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Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks: Connecting to unsecured or compromised Wi-Fi networks can expose users to various threats, including eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks2.
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iCloud compromise: Weak passwords or falling victim to phishing attacks can compromise your iCloud account, exposing personal, sensitive data, including your photos if you chose to have them stored in iCloud.
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Location tracking and privacy: Some apps may misuse location data, posing privacy risks, so users should always be cautious about granting unnecessary permissions to apps2.
The article suggests that users should practice good cyber hygiene, such as regularly updating their devices, avoiding clicking on links from unknown senders, using a VPN when connected to public Wi-Fi, and being vigilant when checking emails or messages. Additionally, the U.S. National Security Agency recommends restarting your phone at least once a week to help protect it from hackers.
How do zero-click exploits differ from other types of malware, and what makes them particularly dangerous?
Zero-click exploits differ from other types of malware in that they do not require any user interaction to infect a device. Unlike traditional malware, which often relies on a user clicking a malicious link or downloading a compromised app, zero-click exploits can infect a smartphone without the user doing anything at all6. This can be achieved through specially crafted messages or images that exploit unknown vulnerabilities in the device's software.
What makes zero-click exploits particularly dangerous is their ability to remain undetected. Since they do not require any user interaction, there are often no signs of infection, making them difficult to detect and mitigate. Moreover, many zero-click exploits leverage zero-day vulnerabilities that have yet to be patched by a device's manufacturer, meaning that even up-to-date devices may still be at risk.
High-profile examples of zero-click exploits include the 2021 "ForcedEntry" attack, which targeted Apple devices and was discovered by researchers at Citizen Lab, and the 2019 WhatsApp attack, which allowed attackers to install spyware on phones just by calling them3.
To protect against zero-click exploits, it is recommended to regularly update devices, avoid clicking on links from unknown sources, and be cautious when installing new apps. Additionally, the U.S. National Security Agency advises regularly restarting smartphones, which can sometimes prevent zero-click exploits from being successful.