The Spanish technology company offers a series of recommendations to protect mobile devices from malware and other cyber threats, as well as to detect in time if we have been victims of a cyberattack.
October is the “European Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” an initiative promoted by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) that aims to raise awareness among EU citizens and organizations about safe internet use and to adopt good practices when using technology in our daily lives.
Aware of the importance of cybersecurity in all areas, especially when using the smartphone that accompanies us every day, the Spanish consumer electronics brand SPC shares a series of recommendations to help users protect their phones from viruses and other cyber threats, as well as to detect if they have been victims of a cyberattack.
How to know if your phone has a virus?
As cyberattacks become increasingly common and sophisticated, it is essential to learn how to protect our mobile devices and detect possible infections in time. For this reason, SPC highlights some key signs that could indicate your phone has been infected by malware:
- Seeing more ads and pop-ups than usual is one of the first signs to watch for. If you notice a significant increase in ads, especially in places where they didn’t usually appear, you might be dealing with adware, a form of malware that generates intrusive advertising.
- An unexpected increase in data usage can be a sign that malware is running background processes that consume large amounts of data.
- The speed of your smartphone may also be affected. An infected device tends to run slower, apps may close unexpectedly, or show irregular performance.
- If you notice that your phone’s battery drains faster than usual, this could be because malicious software is running in the background and consuming resources.
- Finally, device overheating is another warning sign. A malicious program working in the background performs multiple tasks without the user knowing, causing the smartphone to overheat.
Tips to keep your mobile phone secure
SPC experts recommend a series of basic actions that will help protect our smartphones, avoid possible threats, and keep our personal information safe from potential cyberattacks:
- To prevent malware from accessing your smartphone, it is important to install apps only through official stores. One of the main entry points for viruses is apps downloaded from fraudulent sources. Make sure to always download your apps from the Google Play Store to avoid unnecessary risks.
- Keep your apps updated to avoid vulnerabilities. Brands and developers periodically implement security patches and important improvements through OTA (Over-The-Air) updates that protect the device against vulnerabilities and possible cyberattacks. By keeping your apps and Google security patches up to date, you ensure your phone is protected against new viruses.
- Activate the device’s antivirus. Android devices already include a built-in antivirus, Google Play Protect, which you can check is active and configure in the Security section within the phone’s settings.
- Also, be cautious with emails, SMSs, or links from suspicious sources. Cybercriminals use phishing techniques to steal sensitive information. Always verify the origin of messages and avoid clicking on unknown links.
- Equally important, review app permissions. Many apps request unnecessary permissions, such as access to the camera or microphone. Regularly check these permissions and remove those that are not essential for the app’s functionality.
- Finally, it is advisable to educate children about the safe use of mobile devices. Children, as digital natives, are eager to explore digital solutions but are easy targets for cybercriminals. It is crucial to teach them good security practices and activate Parental Controls, a feature available through Google’s Family Link, to set limits on access to inappropriate content and screen time on their smartphone.
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