Restarting a smartphone takes just a few moments, and yet it's something that many of us rarely take the time to do.
However one major US spy agency is now calling on smartphone owners to consciously turn off and on their phones at least once a week, as this helps to protect the device from certain hacking attempts.
Malware launched via spearphishing and zero-click exploits can be prevented by manually turning the device off and on again, according to a list of "Mobile Device Best Practices" issued by the cyberespionage analysts at the US National Security Agency (NSA).
Android smartphones can typically be restarted by long pressing the power button or holding the power button and the volume up button at the same time.
If you have an iPhone, you'll need to switch it off once, wait briefly and then switch it on again. You can do by pressing the lock button and the volume up button at the same time.
That's not all you can do to keep your phone safe. Here are some other tips for improved smartphone and tablet security, courtesy of the NSA:
- Install any updates as soon as possible - the good thing is these also always involve a restart
- Deactivate wi-fi and Bluetooth if you aren't using them
- Avoid using public wi-fi networks
- Don't lock your phone with a simple password: A six-digit PIN code is sufficient so long as your device blocks further unlock attempts after 10 unsuccessful entries
- Avoid clicking on unexpected pop-up windows that prompt you to install apps. If that happens, close all your active programmes. You can do that by swiping up from the bottom of your screen and closing all active windows. On iPhones and Androids with a home button, you can do this by double-tapping the button.
You know all that? Then here are some more advanced suggestions tailored to people with confidential information on their phones:
- Don't have confidential conversations near a mobile device that is not configured for that purpose
- Avoid charging your phone with equipment you don't know, such as public charging stations or from cables that don't come from a well-known manufacturer
- Consider using a device cover to shield your microphone, to prevent hot-miking attacks, which activate your microphone without you noticing
- Cover up your camera when you are not using it