Why the NSA advises you to turn off your phone once a week
Powering off your phone regularly, disabling Bluetooth,
and using only trusted accessories are just a few of the NSA's security recommendations. Here's what else to know.
Written by Lance Whitney, Contributor Aug. 26, 2024 at 12:39 p.m. PT
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National Security Agency
Your pricey smartphone can be hit by a host of security threats, from phishing to malware to spyware. All it takes is one successful attack to clobber your phone, compromise your data, and even steal your identity. So, how do you protect yourself?
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In a Mobile Device Best Practices report, the NSA serves up a variety of tips designed to thwart hackers and attackers from assaulting your mobile device. One method is as simple as turning your phone off and on.
Spearphishing attacks can target your phone to install malware, while zero-click exploits can infect your device without any interaction on your part. The NSA's advice? Power your phone off and then back on at least once a week. This simple action can make it more difficult for hackers to steal information from your phone, though the agency cautions that this will not always prevent an attack.
National Security Agency
The NSA cited several other threats that can impact your mobile device in its report.
Malicious apps can infect your phone. Malicious Wi-Fi networks can intercept and redirect traffic from your device. Spyware can monitor the audio and video conversations on your phone. Hackers with remote access to your device can collect calling or texting data. Someone with physical access to your phone, even briefly, would, of course, be able to install malware or spyware .
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There are several ways to protect yourself, the NSA suggests:
Beyond adopting the NSA's suggestions, you can also turn to a dedicated app to help with your mobile security. One app worth installing is iVerify, a security scanner that will scour your device for malware and make sure you're using the basic security features on your iPhone or Android phone.
"Threats to mobile devices are more prevalent and increasing in scope and complexity," the NSA said in its report. "Users of mobile devices desire to take full advantage of the features available on those devices, but many of the features provide convenience and capability but sacrifice security. This best practices guide outlines steps the users can take to better protect personal devices and information."
This article was originally published on May 31, 2024, and updated on August 26, 2024.