How To Avoid Identity Theft On Your Smartphone

Phishing is a crime that has been around the world for decades, but in the age of mobile technology, it has taken on a new dimension.

Today, more than 70% of Internet users use a smartphone, leading to increased phishing attacks on mobile devices.

In this article, we will talk about what it is and how to avoid smartphone spoofing.

So, if you want to know how to protect your identity on the Internet and avoid impersonation, we will explain how to do it.

What Is Phishing

First of all, it is important to understand what phishing is.

In simple terms, phishing is a situation that occurs when a criminal uses a person’s personal information to impersonate them, either online or in a physical store.

This type of fraud can be carried out in different ways and through different means, such as email, text messages, phone calls, and fake websites.

In smartphones, this circumstance occurs when someone steals their identity to access their bank accounts, make purchases online, or even send messages on their behalf through a mobile phone.

Regulation Of Identity Theft

The Organic Law regulates identity theft on Data Protection and Guarantee of Digital Rights.

This law establishes that any person who uses the identity of another person to obtain economic benefits, harm another person, or commit any other crime will be punished with penalties that can be administrative (fines and financial sanctions) and criminal (with prison terms).

How Cybercriminals Impersonate

There are many techniques through which criminals manage to steal the personal data of their victims and thus manage to impersonate their identity on the Internet.

Here are some of the most popular and common.

Phishing

Phishing is one of the most common ways a smartphone can be impersonated.

In this situation, a criminal sends an email or text message that appears authentic but is designed to trick the user into revealing personal information.

Phishing messages often appear to be from financial institutions, email services, or popular social networks, but there are always details that can reveal that they are not legitimate.

Malicious Applications (Malware)

Another common way to impersonate is through malicious applications, also known as malware.

These apps are often disguised as legitimate apps, such as popular games or banking apps, but are designed to steal users’ personal information.

Using Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks

Finally, one of the most common ways you can impersonate a smartphone is through unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.

Criminals can use these networks to intercept Internet traffic and access the user’s personal data, unaware that his information is being stolen.

How To Avoid Phishing: Tips

To prevent identity theft on your smartphone, it is important to follow certain security guidelines that do not stop following logic. These guidelines include:

1. Do not share personal information: Unless necessary, do not share personal information through text messages or email. If you need to send personal information, use secure messaging apps that encrypt messages and protect your data.
2. Use strong passwords for your smartphone and change the password regularly. Do not use obvious passwords, such as your date of birth or your pet’s name, and, of course, do not share this information with anyone.
3. download apps from trusted sources, like Google Play or the Apple App Store. Downloading apps from unknown sources could expose your smartphone to malware and other security threats.
4. Keep the operating system and applications on your smartphone up to date to protect it from known security vulnerabilities. These updates usually resolve some of your applications’ vulnerabilities, especially regarding security aspects.
5. Use secure Wi-Fi networks, such as private Wi-Fi networks, and with advanced security protocols, such as WPA3. Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks to access personal information like bank or email accounts.
6. Pay special attention to phishing messages: Pay attention to phishing messages and do not click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown senders. Also, if in the message you detect that the sender is urging the user to perform an urgent action or contains misspellings or phrases that are not very understandable, you should be suspicious.

Some Final Considerations

In short, smartphone spoofing can be dangerous and expensive for you.

By following these security guidelines, you can protect your smartphone and its personal information.
Also, if you believe your smartphone has been compromised, you should immediately protect your accounts and personal information. Contact your bank, Internet service provider, and other services you have used to report the problem and take steps to protect your personal information.

So now that you know how to protect your identity, you can take steps to protect yourself online.

Also Read: Cybersecurity Training: How To Become A Digital Security Expert?