Secure Your Phone From Fraudsters: Tips To Avoid Online Scams

Recently, the number of online scams in India has increased, which has caused quite a threat in the country. Not only do people lose their hard-earned money, but they also face a lot of mental turmoil when they fall victim to one such scam. From job scams to the latest courier delivery scams, scammers have come up with new and sophisticated ways to trick people.

However, we cannot forget that most of the scams that people face are through mobile phones. This is why following a proper digital hygiene routine on your device can help protect you from dangerous scams.

Here, we’ll learn about the best ways to protect your smartphone so that you have the best protection possible to deal with this growing evil.

How to protect your smartphone and prevent online scams:

Update to the latest operating software available

Many scams use your smartphone’s operating system to take advantage of you. These can be vulnerabilities that CERT-In often warns about, or just a problem with a specific application that can leak sensitive data. Therefore, update your device’s software and applications to the latest versions to avoid the risk of falling victim to scams that use outdated software.

Beware of SMS Smishing; Use an app like Truecaller to filter spam

Scammers can send you spam and malicious links via text message, often disguised as lucrative offers, asking you to click on the links. Always make sure you never open such texts and never click on foreign links. Using an app like Truecaller can also go a long way in filtering spam.

Lock your SIM card

Scams such as SIM swapping scams rely on a duplicate SIM card by obtaining your personal information through careful planning. But if you use SIM lock, only you can access your SIM card on another device because only you know the password. So even if a fraudster gains access to your duplicate SIM card, they won’t be able to access online services, saving you from fraud.

Use VPNs when using public networks

If you’re on the go and have no choice but to use public Wi-Fi, using a VPN can help you deal with bad actors. Good VPNs even encrypt your data so it cannot be viewed in transit.

Do not keep security-sensitive documents on your device unprotected

If you have a digital copy of your Aadhar or bank details on your device, beware that if an attacker gets into your device, the potential for significant fraud is high. Always make sure you store such files in a password-protected secure folder that only you can access. Additionally, using password managers for passwords is also a good idea.