MILLIONS of phone owners are being urged to activate two settings – or risk devastating cyber-attacks.
It takes seconds to turn them on, but ignoring the warning from cybersecurity experts means you could be left out of pocket.
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Breaking into your online accounts is as easy or hard as you make it.
That’s why security experts at McAfee are telling users to check two settings to protect your log-ins.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
The first is using two-factor authentication everywhere you can.
“If your account offers two-factor authentication as part of the login process, make use of it as it adds another layer of security that makes hacking tougher,” said Jasdev Dhaliwal, Director of Marketing and Security Evangelist at McAfee.
Two-factor authentication means requiring an additional way of verifying who you are, beyond just your password.
Often this is simply a text message with a short code.
But many experts recommend using authenticator apps or physical fobs instead, as these are considered to be more secure.
Two-factor authentication means you even if a crook has obtained your password, they still won’t be able to log in to your account.
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Just make sure not to share your two-factor code with anyone else.
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Many criminals will try to obtain your two-factor log-in code using sneaky tricks.
This might involve pretending to be a friend and claiming that they accidentally sent you their own log-in code – and asking to see it.
Never share a text message code with anyone else, or you risk letting criminals into your accounts.
PASSWORD PRO
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The second setting that you need to look at is password management.
Passwords are a major weak point when it comes to cybersecurity.
Many people choose simple passwords because long ones are difficult to remember.
But short and uncomplicated passwords are immensely easy to “crack” – special hacking software can break them in seconds.
Strong, unique passwords offer one of your best defenses against hackers
Similarly, long and complicated passwords are difficult to remember – so some people choose one and use it for everything.
This is also dangerous because if your password is leaked for just one account, it can be tried against dozens of others.
Ultimately, this leads to a chain of hacking where many of your accounts become compromised in a very short space of time.
“Strong, unique passwords offer one of your best defenses against hackers,” Jasdev explained.
The security expert added: “You can spare yourself the upkeep that involves a password manager that can keep on top of it all for you.
Your iPhone has a built-in password manager called iCloud Keychain.
And Android devices can take advantage of the Google Password Manager.
That way you can save long, complicated, and totally unique passwords for each of your online accounts.
Phone scam statistics
Americans are bombarded with three billion spam phone calls a month. What are the figures regarding the number of victims and the amount of money lost to fraudsters
- In 2022, Americans lost some $39.5 billion to phone scams, with 68.4 million US citizens affected, according to TechReport.
- The average phone scam victim lost $567.41 each in 2021, a major rise on the 2021 figure of $182 per victim, according to Hiya.
- The majority of scams happen over the phone, with fraudsters twice as likely to call compared to text in 2021, as reports the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- In 2021, the US saw a 56% increase in spam phone calls with 60% of those being robocalls.
- US residents experienced an average of 18 spam phone calls per month, although some experts believe the true figure may be as high as 31 per month.
- Many phone calls from reputable businesses may be marked wrongly as spam, but 38% of companies have no idea whether they’re being marked as “potential fraud” or not, according to Hiya.
- Never hand over any personal or financial information if you suspect a phone call is a scam. For instance, your bank will never ask you for such details in full over the phone.
- To cut down on spam phone calls and scams, sign up for the Do Not Call Registry. Telemarketers, by law, will need to check that list before they call you up.
- Downloading third-party apps such as Hiya, Nomorobo, or Truecaller can help filter out annoying spam calls.
- Try not to share your phone number unless you have to, especially online or with sketchy sources.
BAD SIGN
One of the simplest signs that your password has been compromised is any subtle change to your online accounts.
Make sure to stay vigilant and look out for any tweaks to settings or strange activity.
This isn’t just true for banking apps but any account – like Google, Apple, or Facebook – where a criminal may be lurking.
“If you spot unusual or unfamiliar charges or transactions in your account, bank, or debit card statements, follow up immediately,” Jasdev warned.
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“That could indicate improper use. In general, banks, credit card companies, and many businesses have countermeasures to deal with fraud, along with customer support teams that can help you file a claim if needed.”
If you think your account has been compromised, change the password to something unique and complicated – and ensure two-factor authentication is switched on.
