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Avoiding Cell Phone Spyware Infestation

The recent explosion of cell phone spyware can be directly linked to the way the use of cell phones has changed over the past few years. What used to be just a way to stay connected while away from home or out of the office is now an integral part of everyday life. Many people live their lives on their phones, storing their personal information and recording almost everything they do, and now cell phones have become a major target of spyware.

What is cell phone spyware?

Spyware is any software that records information about you or what you do on your phone without your knowledge, whether it's on your computer at home, your laptop at work, your tablet, or your cell phone. Most spyware is installed either by convincing the user to visit a corrupted site and then exploiting the program to install spyware or by the user's choice to install a program that contains spyware. There are also dedicated spy apps that anyone can install on your device if they have access to them for less than a minute.

Malicious spyware can do

Lots of spyware fall into the scary but benign category, and can even be put in place by your phone manufacturer. This software tracks your physical movements and internet usage to better target you with ads. It's a bit scary to think about, but this type of spyware rarely has any direct impact on you or your information.

However, other types of cell phone spyware are something to worry about. These programs are designed to collect your information for use in identity theft or corporate spying, or even to spy on you directly by accessing your smartphone's camera and microphone. As mobile devices become more and more like computers, and they are used in more and more business settings, expect this type of spyware to become more and more prevalent in the future.

The Harm Spyware Can Do.

If you want to stay safe from spyware, your first step is to try to avoid it completely. This is not always possible, but by just following a few simple rules, you will find yourself less likely to end up with any malware on your phone.

First, do not install any third-party software from unknown sources on your devices. This means that the only apps you should use are those available through official channels like the App Store or Google Play. Even so, and especially if you are using an Android device, only install apps from trusted developers who have a good deal of positive reviews. Third-party apps are riddled with malware, and even some of the apps that hit the official stores may have spyware capabilities.

In this context, always check the permissions of the app when installing the app. Obviously, the navigation app will need access to your phone's GPS, but the note-taking app definitely doesn't. If an app asks for strange-looking permissions, stop the installation and completely avoid the app.

Just like on your home computer or laptop at work, always be wary of unwanted attachments, links, and open, public Wi-Fi connections. Hackers can use all of these things to install spyware on your device, so avoid generic communications and never click on a link or open an email attachment if you don't know the source or don't expect the link or document.

Finally, all these rules will mean nothing if you do not adequately protect your smartphone. If a thief gets their hands on your device, it will only take a few minutes to steal your information or install some spyware. To guard against this, always keep the screen lock on your phone so that if you only lose track of it for a few minutes, The hacker will not have time to bypass the lock and gain access to your device and your privacy.

Get full protection

As navigation plays a larger role in both work and pleasure, even the most careful user cannot guarantee that avoidance alone will completely protect them from cell phone spyware. The next level of protection can only come from using a high-quality mobile security solution.

The mobile security app will scan apps as they are downloading to ensure they are free of viruses and spyware, and keep scanning your apps as the mobile threat database is updated with emerging threats. It will also block dangerous websites that can install malware on your mobile phone, and it can also scan links sent via text messages. If your device is stolen, you will have the option to block access to your information or wipe the device completely.

There are free mobile security apps out there, although they are generally less robust and updated less frequently than the more popular ones. Your best option might be a mobile security solution that offers a free trial period, so you can see the app in action before you decide to make a purchase. Some industry leaders also offer bundled security packages that can protect your cell phone, tablet, and computer at the same time.

It may seem that there are already a large number of spyware and malware on mobile devices, but the problem is still there. Taking action now to protect your identity, information, and money is essential, and only a combination of smartphone use and mobile security software will keep you safe.