Hackers can be saved by a simple daily habit.

Spyware attacks are on the rise  and this one-minute habit could make a huge difference

Let’s face it: we are literally glued to our phones. We rely on our phones constantly, whether it’s to scroll through social media or check emails, or manage work tasks. We rely on them constantly, from scrolling through social media to checking emails or even managing work tasks.

Ronan Farrow warned about this exact thing. Best known for his explosive investigative reporting in the US, Farrow recently spoke about the growing risk of spyware — malicious software that can secretly install itself on your device and start stealing personal data, without you ever noticing.

What do you find most shocking? Simple daily actions can help.

How restarting your mobile phone every day can protect your privacy

Farrow’s advice is refreshingly straight-forward: restart your mobile phone every single day.
‘It sounds basic,’ he said in an interview, “but restarting your device regularly can actually disrupt spyware and prevent a lot of attacks.”

This is not only his opinion. According to the US National Security Agency, restarting your phone can help stop malicious code, spyware, and even zero-click attacks — where hackers don’t even need you to click anything to break in. These attacks can be carried out by malicious links or software vulnerabilities, which makes them difficult to detect for most users.

By restarting your phone you are essentially cutting the lifeline for spyware. It can force temporary malware to shut off and prevent it from re-establishing.

Keep your mobile device safe from cyber-attacks with these simple tips

Restarting your phone is a good start — but it’s not enough on its own. The National Cybersecurity Institute of Spain (INCIBE), also offers several tips to protect your mobile device from digital threats.

• Update your software and applications regularly. Updates are often released to fix security vulnerabilities.
• Install a reliable antivirus or security program to help detect malicious software.
• Delete apps you don’t use — and avoid downloading anything from shady sources.
• Avoid using public WiFi, particularly when logging in to accounts or performing sensitive tasks.
• Set up encryption and screen locking, and use passwords that are strong and regularly updated.
• Before disposing of an old device, back up all your data and delete any personal information.
• Don’t jailbreak or root your phone — it weakens its built-in defences.
• Limit the amount of data that you store in your phone by regularly reviewing its security settings.

Stay alert. Your first line of defense is to be alert for suspicious messages, app requests that are not legitimate or links you don’t recognize. As Farrow put it, “You won’t know if your phone’s been hacked — and you won’t know what they’re doing with your data. It can happen to anyone.

Next time you plug your phone in before going to bed, spend five seconds turning it off and on again. It may seem like nothing — but in a world of invisible threats, it’s a small step that could save you a major headache.

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