Lately, the frequency of online scams in India has shot up, creating quite a menace in the country. Not only are people losing their hard-earned money, but there’s also a lot of mental turmoil one faces as a victim of one of these scams. Right from job scams to the latest courier delivery scams, scammers have devised new and elaborate ways to fool people.
That said, we can’t forget that most of the scams people face are facilitated through mobile phones. And this is why following a proper digital hygiene routine on your device can go a long way in safeguarding you from such dangerous scams.
Here, let’s learn about the top ways you can secure your smartphone so that you have the best possible protection to deal with this growing evil.
How To Secure Your Smartphone And Prevent Online Scams:
Update To The Latest Available Operating Software
Many scams exploit your smartphone’s OS to exploit you. These could be vulnerabilities that CERT-In often warns you about or simply an issue in a particular app that may leak out sensitive data. Therefore, update your device software and apps to the latest versions to eliminate the risk of falling victim to scams that exploit outdated software.
Beware of SMS Smishing; Use an App Like Truecaller To Filter Through Spam
Fraudsters can send you spam and malicious links via SMS, often disguised as lucrative offers, and ask you to click on links. Always ensure you never open such texts and never click on foreign links. Using an app like Truecaller can also go a long way in filtering through spam.
Lock Your SIM Card
Scams like SIM Swap fraud rely on getting a duplicate SIM card by obtaining your personal details through careful planning. But if you use a SIM lock, only you will be able to access your SIM on another device as only you know the password. So, even if a scammer gets access to your duplicate SIM, they won’t be able to access network services, therefore saving you from fraud.
Use VPNs When Using Public Networks
If you are out and about and have no choice but to use public Wi-Fi, having a VPN at hand can help you deal with nefarious entities. Good VPNs even encrypt your data so that it can’t be looked upon in transit.
Don’t Keep Security-Sensitive Documents On Your Device Unprotected
If you have a digital copy of your Aadhar or banking information on your device, beware that if an attacker gets into your device, the possibility of a significant fraud is high. Always ensure that you store such files in a password-protected secure folder that only you can access. Moreover, using password managers for your passwords is also a good idea.
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