Md Jahedul Islam
We use our smartphones all the time for official or personal purposes. Apart from our personal information, many official information is also stored in this smartphones. We store various types of important files including our bank information, personal photos, videos in our smartphones and in smartphones Gmail. And this is where hackers get caught. These hackers can exploit our unawareness and carelessness to hack all information from our smartphones at any moment. Hackers are constantly hacking information from different types of smartphones. Hackers are inserting different types of malware, phishing links into our smartphones in various ways. In this way they are grabbing various personal and important official information from our smart phones. These data are sometimes sold on the dark web and sometimes used for blackmailing the user. While downloading a new app on the smartphones, many of us do not download the app from different websites instead of Google Play Store. And this practice has now become a cause of great danger. A little carelessness when it comes to downloading apps on a smartphones can spell disaster. So we need to be more aware before installing the app to be careful from new traps of hackers. Exploiting this ignorance of smartphones users, hackers are spreading malicious APK files and clone apps through fake messages, browsers or unknown links. The main traps of hackers are phishing links and fake messages. A phishing link is a type of fraudulent Internet address or URL, which is created to take the user to a fake or bogus website. On the other hand, harmful links are sent to smartphones users in various fake messages or emails with the lure of winning the lottery or updating urgent account information. If we clean these links or install the app, the complete control of the phone goes into the hands of hackers. As a result, bank accounts may be emptied and personal information may be stolen. Hackers first create fake websites that look exactly like real apps. After that, users are lured to download Google Chrome or TikTok app files from there with various tempting offers or tricks. Cybercriminals are constantly trying new tricks to trap users. So even a little carelessness in downloading apps can put our personal information, bank accounts and digital assets at great risk. Hackers can also steal phone data through free or open public Wi-Fi networks. Meanwhile, hackers follow unknown apps and malware methods to hack smartphones. As a result, if smartphones users download apps from a third-party or unknown source outside the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, spyware can enter the phone. Again through SIM swapping, hackers look for an opportunity to trick the mobile operator into getting another clone SIM of our number and grab the OTP and banking password. Bluetooth hacking, on the other hand, allows nearby hackers to access the device using an unauthorized or always-on Bluetooth connection. When hackers step into the trap, some unusual changes can be seen on the phone. For example, the battery of the phone suddenly runs out quickly. Phone overheating and slowing down. Excessive increase in mobile data or Internet costs even if the smartphones is not used. Various types of problems occur including unwanted pop-up ads or unknown apps appearing on the screen. The safest way to install new apps on Android phones is to only use the official app store. That is, it is better not to download apps from any website other than Google Play Store. To protect ourself from the traps of hackers on our smartphones, we need to consciously check sometimes whether the phone has ‘Google Play Protect’ on or not. Again, any suspicious pop-If you see an app or security warning, it is better not to allow without verification. A reliable Android antivirus app can be used as a precaution if needed. Another most important thing is to quickly change passwords if you notice any unusual behavior while using the banking app and notify the security providers in the technology sector related to banking. Android or iOS operating system and all the apps on the phone should always be updated to keep the smartphone safe. In addition to simple passwords, two-factor authentication will be enabled on social media and banking apps. A good quality virtual private network must be used when using public Wi-Fi outside for emergency purposes. Checking App Permissions i.e. after installing an app, regularly check whether it is asking for unnecessary permissions or permission of Gallery, Contact or Microphone. Also the smartphones can be protected from hackers even by restarting the phone. The phone should be restarted at least once a week. This will stop any viruses or malicious software running. In this way, there is a chance to avoid hacking or phishing. However, restarting is not enough, there are other things to follow. Meanwhile, there are several other benefits of restarting the phone. For example, the speed of the phone increases. Apart from solving the problem of phone hanging, it is possible to keep away from various types of viruses. So at least 2- 3 times per week it is better to restart the smartphones. To avoid the traps of smartphones hackers, we need to be very careful and follow the simple rules of digital security.
