7 Ways to hack-proof your smartphone

Installing software updates as soon as they become available is always the first line of defense against hackers; this is true for both computers and cellphones.

1. Keep up to date – and don’t open up holes yourself

An app on your smartphone could ask for rights when you install, such as reading data, using your camera, or listening in on your microphone.

2. Be careful of what you install

Your phone's apps may have appeared innocent and straightforward when you first downloaded them, but later upgrades may have changed them into something more dangerous.

3. Review what’s already on your phone

A thief might get into a lot of trouble if they manage to get their hands on your phone physically. First off, there's a good chance that your email app has a wealth of private data on it.

4. Make it hard for intruders to get in

Make a plan so that you will know your data is secure even if your phone is taken. You can configure your phone to wipe itself automatically after a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts to enter the passcode.

5. Be prepared to track and lock your phone

Considering how tedious inputting passwords may be when using a virtual keyboard, auto-login is a really useful tool. It's also a big risk because all it takes for a hacker to access all of your internet accounts is for them to open your browser.

6. Don’t leave online services unlocked

It ought to be quite challenging for someone to access your phone if you've complied with the advise up to this point. On the other hand, several significant hacks have been carried out with no access whatsoever to the victim.

7. Adopt an alter ego