As we save the more sensitive individual and commercial data on mobile phones, the chance for malicious cyber criminals to abuse their software vulnerabilities becomes more rampant. Using mobile data can prove to be dangerous at times.
Yes, you can get hacked using mobile data. This is possible if a hacker access a hotspot connection based on your mobile data, or you open malware or link through using your mobile data, just like in the case of a Wi-Fi connection.
This article will elaborate on and explain how can someone get hacked using mobile data. Furthermore, the possible ways of getting hacked as well as the methods of prevention will be discussed at length.
Smartphones And The Use Of Mobile Data
With only your phone number, an attacker may determine who you are, who you contact, and where you operate. They may eavesdrop on your phone calls, read your text messages, capture your videos, forward your calls, and even empty your bank account.
A digital device would be a device for hackers, regardless of whether it is a laptop, iPad, or mobile phone. In the mobile world of today, phone hacking seems to be a crucial security concern.
Listening in on a real conversation or message and gaining access to the device’s stored data are just a few ways for a cyber criminal to hack a victim’s device.
If you’re not a celebrity, you’re more likely to be a victim of unauthorized access; hackers may then acquire access to your bank information, withdraw cash from your debit account, clone your credit card, and make purchases on less secure websites.
Additionally, they may attempt to obtain sensitive business or personal information over the phone. In many instances, the phone owner is responsible for maintaining security of their own device, so it can be difficult for the victim to seek additional assistance from third-parties.
Instead, many users reuse login credentials from different websites. Using the same or variations of the same password is considered bad security practice that can lead to an account takeover. This can occur when an attacker uses a password spraying attack in which the same credentials get “sprayed” or tried out on multiple accounts until the right password has been used.
A coffee shop app, for example, may not have implemented two-factor authentication, such as compelling a confirmation code to be sent through SMS, so a hacker who discovers a working login and password combination may impersonate the user on another phone.
In addition, mobile payment fraud may occur if a criminal obtains your mobile number (not difficult, given the abundance of reverse-lookup websites) and pairs it with a credit card that matches it.
Ways To Avoid Getting Hacked By Using Mobile Data
Following are the methods through which one can avoid getting hacked even when the mobile data is being used by the user:
1. Update Your Operating System (OS)
On their mobile devices, many individuals employ obsolete operating system software, unaware that this makes them susceptible to attack.
If there is a new threat, perhaps the developers of your smartphone’s operating system have handled it but it is essential to check often for changes and accept them quickly.
2. Update Your Applications
Similar to operating systems, applications might have flaws and security threats, therefore you should always use the most recent version. Consider enabling automatic updates as well.
Avoid being tempted by free Wi-Fi. Free public Wi-Fi hotspots are watering holes for cyber criminals and they frequently use it to attack many victims in public places.
They are beneficial for getting work completed or remaining connected, but they pose a significant security risk. When you join an unprotected open Wi-Fi network, you expose the information on your mobile device to anybody else on that network.
A popular attack includes a hacker establishing a public Internet connection close to the location of the public Wi-Fi with a similar title to one public network, that could be operated by a local company. This second network is then used as a fake access point used for a man-in-the-middle attack. When the victim connects to this access point thinking that it’s the legitimate Wi-Fi connection, they are connecting to the attacker’s machine.
All of the network traffic passing to and from the victim’s machine will pass through the attacker machine first. Making user account credentials, browser history, and data in transit greatly at risk. A common and great security measure is to utilize a VPN especially when using free public Wi-Fi.
If you have to use public Wi-Fi, ensure the URL box contains HTTPS instead of HTTP. It indicates that all interactions between your browser and the website are encrypted. And endeavor to work as rapidly as possible to reduce risk exposure.
If a link appears odd, it is likely malicious. Some assaults disguise themselves as popular email applications in order to access your account.
Keep your cool about yourself because the sites typically resemble genuine articles. If you do not trust the appearance ot sender of an email or message, do not open it.
3. Be Cautious About What You Download
Some apps are built for harmful purposes, such as distributing malicious code from your device or stealing confidential company information. Avoid downloading programs from unreliable sites whenever possible.
Samsung’s Galaxy mobile phone line has the Knox security software embedded in the operating system (OS), which can identify whether the device’s security software has been modified.
4. Restrict What Permissions Applications May Access
Numerous apps will request access to your camera, microphone, or contacts. It could also serve as a doorway for an attacker to gain access to your confidential data if the app is requesting more permissions than it probably should have. Be wary of
5. Employing A Virtual Private Network (VPN)
If you must use public Wi-Fi, use a VPN to secure your data and privacy. When you join, your computer sends all Internet traffic over an encrypted channel to the provider’s endpoint, which then reroutes the traffic through specialized, encrypted servers located in different areas of the world.
You may purchase a VPN subscription or test a few of the free options (not recommended). Your network traffic is secure. However, using a VPN might slow down large download or streaming, such as online gaming or film streaming. This is a small price to pay for securing your most sensitive data in transit, possible heading off a nasty virus or even identity theft.
How Can Someone Remotely Hack The Phone?
To take your personal information, hackers do not require physical access to your device. How then do hackers attack your phone without accessing it? The reality is that they are able to target your smartphone remotely with relative ease.
Almost everything, including passwords, Social Security numbers, bank account information, text messages, and photographs, might get into the criminal’s hands if you are not cautious.
Cybercriminals create novel methods to access and monitor smartphone users. Typically, they search for flaws in the device’s operating software in order to hack it or lure users into installing malicious software (malware).
In addition to the conventional approaches, hackers utilize the following to remotely hack a phone:
- Through public Wi-Fi networks, cybercriminals construct fake Wi-Fi networks, and when your phone connects to them, they lead you to dangerous websites, propagate malware, or sniff your network traffic
- SIM swapping allow hackers to access your account by transferring your mobile number to your device by calling the cell phone provider and impersonating you.
- Using a phishing, an attacker can email you with a malicious website link and attempt to fool you into opening it. Such emails and texts may appear quite authentic, and it may be difficult to identify dangerous sites from genuine ones.
It’s Always Good to be Cautious
Today, the chance of being hacked is exceedingly great. And because it is so simple to accomplish, it is best to be safeguarded against this danger.
Your phone is not the only thing that may be hacked. You should constantly be cautious with your social media profiles, computers, emails, contacts, and nearly anything else at risk.
Problems Associated With Using Mobile Data
The following are the major problems associated with the use of mobile data:
1. Connectivity Problems
The majority of work on a mobile device is completed when it is linked to a 3G, 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi network. If you have not connected your phone to these networks or if you are removed from this system due to a connection issue, your device is rendered unreachable to the internet.
Connectivity troubles can also be caused by inclement weather, heavy mobile user traffic, or government control over the network or telecom company; he majority of your work will get halted if these occur.
If a country experiences domestic challenges, it may suspend mobile service for a period of time. If your phone is in proximity to another phone, you may have connectivity troubles as well.
2. Theft and Violent Physical Attacks
As mobile devices are so expensive, robbers can also take yours. It is also observed that the majority of offenders utilize mobile networks to commit crimes against individuals. Additionally, some form of murder assault is carried out through mobile networks.
The police may also track down criminals and murderers by obtaining cellphone data such as call logs and text messages by contacting telecom companies. It is advised that you try your best to not disclose your mobile device’s data online if it all possible.
3. Security Concerns
As data in a mobile phone network is wireless, any hacker is capable of leaking it. Additionally, using a VPN (a virtual private network) on your smartphone can pose a threat to the data on your device if the VPN isn’t reputable and possibly free.
VPN applications can access your internet activity. Wi-Fi or other passwords can potentially be compromised, allowing unauthorized people to access your data. This is why it’s important to choose a high quality, paid VPN and not a free one developed by a foreign country.
4. Battery Problems
If you are traveling or your phone battery dies and it’s been running mobile data constantly along with other battery guzzling device features, you will be caught in a bad position. Your cell phone will be automatically turned off, and your internet as well as other application access will be stopped.
Conclusion
It can be conclusively said that mobile data can become the cause of your phone getting hacked. There are several other problems that are associated with the usage of mobile phone data as well like battery drain and connectivity issues.
It is, therefore, advisable to avoid using mobile phone data unnecessarily, and instead, it is better to rely on Wi-Fi based internet connection as long as security best practice is well…practiced!
