Data breaches are showing up in the news more and more frequently these days, making it more important than ever to protect your devices from spyware. Here are some ways you can protect yourself.
Security Measures to Protect iOS and Android Phones from Spyware
You can take several basic security measures when using your cell phone in order to avoid getting spyware on your device and/or to make sure you notice any that does show up as quickly as possible in order to get rid of it before much damage is done.
Most importantly, remember to keep your phone with you or in a safe location to avoid unauthorized people getting access to it. It’s also essential to always use a strong password on your device. The password must be unique and difficult to guess so that nobody would be able to get into your phone just by knowing basic info about you or by making a lucky guess.
Take the time to carefully evaluate your surroundings while using your device. Consider not connecting to WiFi in public places like airports or coffee shops, for example, as these networks are notoriously insecure. Finally, monitor your device for unexpected behavior, including higher than usual bandwidth usage. This could be a sign that your phone is infected with malware or spyware.
Security Measures to Protect Your Computer from Spyware
Computers are especially susceptible to spyware and hackers can gain access to your private files and information. This is why you should also follow at least the basic security tips when using your computer in order to avoid getting infected with spyware.
As with your phone, use a strong and unique password for your computer so that only authorized people can gain access. Set your computer to lock after a very short period of inactivity so that the computer can’t be used by someone else while it is unattended. Don’t let anyone else use the administrator account.
Security Software
One of the most important things you can do is use highly recommended antivirus software to protect your devices from any spyware. Users of Android phones or Mac and Windows computers should also consider MalwareBytes software, and iOS mobile users can use the Cydia app. These excellent programs can catch malicious apps or files from messing with your device.