Eight Updated Smartphone Security Hacks For 2025

Uploaded on 2024-10-30 in TECHNOLOGY--Resilience, FREE TO VIEW, BUSINESS-Services-IT & Telecoms

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Your smartphone isn’t just a device; it’s a digital vault, housing your treasured photos, vital contacts, and sensitive financial information. However, this convenience comes with a price, the increased vulnerability to cyber threats.

In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported 880,418 complaints from U.S. citizens, with potential losses exceeding $12.5 billion. These shocking statistics highlight the critical need for robust smartphone security measures.

As cybercrime continues to rise each year, hackers develop more sophisticated ways to breach security measures. The good news is with new technological advancements in 2025, staying safe is easier, but it requires some updates to your security habits.

1. Choose Apps From Trusted Sources

Protect your smartphone by downloading apps only from trusted sources and official app stores. Look for expert recommendations from popular sources like tech publications when searching for helpful apps. These sources do all the legwork, rigorously testing and shortlisting Android apps based on functionality, ease of use, and overall value, so you can trust their recommendations to make the best choice.

For instance, if you want to keep your family safe online, there are several reputable options available on official app stores. You can use parental control apps to keep an eye on your kids’ activities by tracking their location, reviewing who they are communicating with, and making sure they’re protected from inappropriate content. Tech writer William Baxter recommends these Android spy apps because they are easy to use, and install quickly and discreetly. These apps are designed to offer peace of mind for parents concerned about their children’s safety.

Additionally, it’s important to download apps from established sources like the Google Play Store for Android or the Apple App Store for iOS. These official stores have strong security checks to protect users, scanning each app for malware and other harmful software before allowing it to be downloaded. This level of scrutiny may not be available for third-party apps. Official stores also feature curated recommendations from app store editors.

User reviews are valuable resources when choosing apps. Take the time to research the developer's background, and check if they have a track record of creating multiple well-reviewed downloads. Legitimate apps usually have plenty of honest reviews, while suspicious apps might show only a few overly positive ratings. Be wary of typos or awkward language in the app description and screenshots. These sloppy details can be a red flag, indicating that an app may not be legitimate or trustworthy.

2. Use The Latest Security Software

Protecting your smartphone with security software is one of the easiest ways to stay safe. Antivirus apps help block viruses and malware, which can harm your device and steal personal information. Many antivirus programs also provide real-time protection, alerting you to threats as they happen. With these tools, you’re keeping yourself and your family safe from threats.

3. Watch App Permissions

Check the permissions each app requests when you install it, such as accessing your camera or contacts. Only give an app permission if you trust it and understand why it needs that permission and deny anything unnecessary. For example, a flashlight app shouldn't need access to your contacts. Additionally, if an app asks for too many permissions, it might be trying to collect your information.

Both Android and iOS have settings that let you control app permissions quickly and easily.

4. Keep Your Phone & Apps Updated

Keeping your phone’s operating system and apps up-to-date is crucial for security and performance. Updates often include patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit, as cyber threats are constantly changing and becoming more sophisticated.

For example, if your phone’s operating system has a security flaw that allows unauthorized access, an update will fix it and protect your data. Similarly, app updates can add new features and improve functionality. For instance, a banking app update might include better encryption to better safeguard your financial information.

Always check for updates regularly and install them as soon as they are available to keep your device running smoothly and securely. You could always enable automatic downloads when it becomes available. Remember, if you have old apps you don’t use, consider deleting them as they could create potential security vulnerabilities.

5. Use Advanced Biometric Locks

Gone are the days when a simple 4-digit PIN or password was enough. Biometric locks like fingerprint and facial recognition are safer. Some newer smartphone models offer options like voice recognition. Setting up these features is simple, and they make it harder for unauthorized users to unlock your phone. Many smartphones, like the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, come with these biometric options built-in. By enabling them, you ensure that only you can access your personal information and apps.

If you are still more comfortable with using pin codes then you can use a 6-digit code. Compared to a 4-digit code, a 6-digit code has a million possible combinations, making it much harder for someone to guess. With more possible combinations, it takes longer for hackers to try all possible codes, providing better protection against brute force attacks.

6. Set Up Remote Control Options

Setting up remote control features on your smartphone is crucial in case your device goes missing or gets stolen. For example, with Apple’s “Find My iPhone” and Android's “Find My Device,” you can track your phone using GPS, lock it remotely, or even erase all your data to keep your info safe. Both Apple and Android provide simple settings to enable these controls. Check under the “Security” in your settings to enable this feature. By turning on this option, you can quickly take charge of your data and keep it out of the wrong hands.

7. Spot Phishing & Scam Texts

Scam texts have become more common these days, often containing links that lead to harmful sites. These fake messages often try to fool you into revealing your passwords or bank details. For example, you might get a text saying there’s a problem with your bank account and asking you to click a link to fix it. Avoid clicking on links in texts or emails from unknown senders, and never share personal information through these messages.

Many security apps can block phishing links, and both Android and iPhone have built-in features to help recognize and warn you about suspicious links. Phishing scams are a significant problem, accounting for 34% of all cybercrimes in 2023. Learning how to spot and avoid phishing scams is crucial for staying safe online.

8. Back-Up To The Cloud

Photos, contacts, notes, and other files are important, and losing them can be frustrating. Backing up your phone’s content to the cloud helps prevent data loss. Both iCloud and Google Drive offer easy-to-use backup options. Save your important files, photos, and data online instead of just on your phone. This way, if you lose your phone or it gets damaged, you won’t lose everything. With services like Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox you can store your data safely and access it from any device. Once set up, your phone will automatically back up this information, making recovery easy if you ever need it.

Regularly backing up your data ensures that you always have a copy of your important information, no matter what happens to your phone.

Conclusion

Keeping your smartphone secure in 2025 is essential but doesn’t need to be complicated. With just a few tweaks, like enabling biometrics, backing up your data, and setting up remote controls, you can protect your information from many threats.

Try adding a few of these hacks to your routine and enjoy peace of mind with your digital life.

Image: Biljana Jovanovic

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