Think your smart phone is protected because you make use of a passcode to prevent others from logging onto its home screen? Think again. A recent story by the Lifehacker technology Web site takes a close look at the new wave of passcode exploits which have allowed hackers to get into consumers’ smart phones. The truth is, not even a hard-to-guess passcode can prevent the most skilled and patient of hackers from compromising your smart phone.
Passcode problems
The Lifehacker story examines recent passcode exploits targeting the Samsung Galaxy and iPhone smart phones. Based on the story, the attack on the iPhone enabled hackers to, utilizing the phone app, make phone calls, view photos and modify the contact lists of users. Hackers couldn’t gain full access to the phone, nevertheless they gained enough power to cause plenty of problems for owners. The Samsung exploit functioned differently. Hackers had the ability to flash the phone’s home screen for approximately a second. This gave hackers enough time to either launch apps on the phone or start downloading an even more dangerous app that enables hackers to gain full control over the device.
No magic bullet
As these attacks show, using a lock-screen passcode is no guarantee that hackers won’t have the ability break into your phone. As the Lifehacker story says, passcodes today are no more effective at keeping out hackers than are standard passwords. Which means that you need to take the extra steps if you wish to protect your phone from cyber criminals.
The protection you need
Lifehacker does offer tips for protecting your phone. First, create a passcode for your phone’s lock screen that is made up of symbols, letters and numbers. These passcodes are far more difficult for thieves to crack. Next, encrypt your phone’s data. Lastly, sign up for services such as Find My iPhone from Apple or the third-party app Prey. These nifty apps enable you track your phone if it’s stolen or you’ve lost it. You can then remotely erase the data stored on it, protecting yourself from hackers.