5 habits of smartphone users that make life easy for hackers, warns HDFC Bank
HDFC Bank has issued a new cybersecurity advisory to its customers specifically highlighting security tips that smartphone users must consider while using the HDFC mobile banking app and which may extend to mobile banking app users of other banks as well. This new cybersecurity advisory goes beyond highlighting the importance of protecting passwords, downloading banking apps from verified sources and raising awareness about phishing scams. HDFC Bank talked about a few common ‘bad habits' of smartphone users that make it easy for them to fall prey to hacking attempts and scams. If you are doing the following then you need to be more careful with your smartphone.
Most smartphone users do not pay attention to Bluetooth connectivity on their smartphones. With TWS earbuds making life easy, smartphone users tend to keep Bluetooth turned on always. Bluetooth is proven to be an active vulnerable point of access in smartphones. While you may be thinking that you are in control as every external device needs to be paired manually, what most people tend to forget is that an active and idle Bluetooth helps hackers know what devices your smartphone may have paired with before and hackers can then launch a spoofing attack to get access to your smartphone.
Smartphone users mostly think that simply forcing closing any app automatically logs them out of the platform. But this is not true for every app. For banking apps, especially, always logout and only when the log-out screen is visible then proceed to close the app. If you don't do this, the banking app may stay logged in for a brief period and can pose a risk if your device is compromised or in the wrong hands.
If you are travelling abroad and if you are using public WiFi to stay connected then never log into your mobile banking app. This includes hotel WiFi connections as well. Public WiFi networks are risky as hackers use them as their playground to target victims. In case you are forced to use a public WiFi connection, always
