Rebooting Your Phone (NSA Recommendation)

Is your phone a security risk?  The NSA has a surprisingly simple solution: turn it off and on again... every week!  This and other easy tips to keep your smartphone safe from hackers. 

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Power Down Your Phone? NSA Offers Simple Reboot Advice to Boost Smartphone Security
While the idea of the NSA giving security advice might seem counterintuitive, they've recently offered a surprisingly simple tip for iPhone and Android users: turn your phone off and on again once a week.
This might seem insignificant, but the NSA claims this routine reboot can help protect against so-called "Zero-Click Exploits". These are malicious attacks that can infect your phone without you even needing to click on a link or download a file. Scary stuff!
Why Reboot?
According to the NSA, certain phone functions prioritise convenience over security. While features like Bluetooth and background app refresh are handy, they can also create vulnerabilities that a weekly reboot helps address. Rebooting your phone clears out temporary files and resets these features, potentially closing windows for attackers.
Reboot Won't Solve Everything
It's important to remember that this reboot isn't a magic bullet. The NSA acknowledges it won't stop all advanced malware, but it's a simple and effective way to add an extra layer of security.
Security Beyond Rebooting
The NSA offers other security best practices alongside the reboot advice:

• Disable Bluetooth when not in use.
• Install updates for your operating system and apps as soon as they become available.
• Use strong passwords and PINs (at least 6 digits) and enable auto-lock and data wipe after failed attempts.
• Be cautious with email attachments and links, even from seemingly legitimate senders.
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi and charging stations for sensitive activities.
• Consider a password manager to generate unique passwords for different accounts.
• Be wary of social engineering tactics in emails, texts, or phone calls.
• Avoid sensitive conversations on personal devices if possible.

Finding the Security Balance
While some of the NSA's advice might seem inconvenient – like ditching public Wi-Fi – a weekly reboot is a simple step anyone can take. By combining this with strong passwords and a healthy dose of scepticism towards suspicious messages, you can significantly improve your smartphone security. So next time you wind down for the night, consider giving your phone a quick reboot – it might just save you a headache down the line.

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