The mobile phone is a target for hackers. It is a device where we can store information of all kinds, so in the event of an attack our data could be compromised. There we can save passwords to log in, records in bank accounts, contacts, etc. In case someone manages to get in, they could have access to it all and impersonate our identity. In this article we are going to talk about what methods you can use to hack our mobile remotely and what to do to always be protected.

How they can attack the mobile

Cybercriminals constantly refine their attack techniques to achieve greater success. But there are methods that can be more successful than others and that is where they can emphasize. In the case of hacking a mobile phone remotely, there are some options that they usually use more frequently and it is convenient to know them.

Public networks

One of the options that hackers have to attack a mobile remotely is to use public networks. We talk about one Wi-Fi network like those in shopping malls, libraries, or airports. They are not going to need physical access to the phone, but simply that it is connected to that network.

They could create fake networks simply for the purpose of stealing data, infect through some type of malware or have the victim click on a link and end up on a page controlled by the attackers. Also, sometimes they create a page to log in and put data in so they can use that Wi-Fi and it really is a scam.

Control SIM access

They could also hack a mobile phone remotely through the SIM control. It should be noted that this method is not easy, but it is one more option that exists. It is what is known as SIM Swapping. Basically what the attacker does is impersonate the identity of the victim and thus create a duplicate of the SIM card to control access to everything.

From there you could start receiving bank SMS, password recovery, social networks, Gmail ... You could be in control of many services as if you were really in front of our mobile physically, since it would have control to the SIM card, even if it is a duplicate.

Malware by email

Of course, another option is through malicious software that can send by e-mail to the victim. Email is widely used by everyone and therefore cybercriminals have a very interesting option to attack. Also, keep in mind that this strategy is more successful when it comes to mobile devices.

Through an e-mail they could attach a Word or PDF file that actually contains malware. Once the victim downloads it, it runs and begins to spy, steal data, passwords, etc. It is a method that they can use to hack the mobile remotely and start being in control without us noticing.

Fake programs

Another very present problem is fake programs. On our mobiles we can have a large number of applications installed. Now, not all of them are going to be safe. We may be maliciously modifying software. This can especially affect older or young people who do not have sufficient knowledge to detect false applications.

To avoid this type of problem is where the application comes into play eyeZy that, beyond allowing us to know where our children are at all times, they help prevent them from making mistakes when using the phone. You can always know their location, WhatsApp conversations and other applications to detect possible bullying, for example.

Phishing attacks by social networks

Social media is also widely used by cybercriminals to attack mobile phones remotely. For example services like Facebook or Instagram may be an option. They could use false profiles, send messages, write to publications ... In this way they could strain fraudulent links leading to attacker-controlled sites.

With the Phishing attacks, what they do is look for some pretext to get the victim's attention. For example, saying that there has been a problem, that something must be solved from the social network, etc. It is a bait for the victim to bite.

What to do to be protected

After explaining some common methods to hack a mobile remotely, we are going to give some advice to prevent this from happening. The objective is to ensure that our devices are always protected and have no problem using them to surf the net or communicate.

Avoid making mistakes

Most important of all is avoiding making mistakes and keeping the common sense. In most cases, hackers are going to need you to do something wrong. For example, click on a malicious link, install a fake program, accept a bot on social networks, etc. Ultimately, they need the victim's action.

So always keep common sense and constant alert when using your mobile phone. This will help you avoid being hacked remotely and could put all the personal data and files stored in it at risk.

Have everything updated

It is also convenient that you have everything correctly updated. In this way you can correct possible vulnerabilities that may exist and that could pose a security problem. Cybercriminals sometimes exploit uncorrected failures and thus gain remote access to equipment.

This is something that you should apply both to the operating system itself and to any application you have. Always use updated software, with the latest versions installed. This will protect your network security.

Using a good antivirus

You should always count on security programs. You will find a wide range of options, both free and paid. No matter what operating system you are using, it is always advisable to have protection of this type. In this way you will be able to detect malicious software that you can download by mistake, fraudulent files that arrive by mail, etc.

Options like Avast or Bitdefender are a good solution. However, before installing anything, it is convenient that you check that it is really reliable and look for information from other users to detect possible problems.

Install official programs

Another point to prevent them from remotely hacking your mobile is that you only use official software. If you install applications from third party sites that are not to be trusted, it can be a major problem for your security and privacy. It is essential that you install programs only from reliable places.

For this you can go to the official page of that application in question or even go to official stores such as Google Play. This will ensure that they have passed a filter and you are not adding programs that can really be a fraud.

More common threats

Today practically every person has a mobile device, which we always carry with us. This has caused the cyber threats to them to multiply. These are very similar to those found on computers, but in some cases they may have some peculiarity. The most common are:

Ransomware: It is a hijacking of our device. It is usually about misleading the user, making him believe that he has a virus installed on his mobile. This in turn means that it is directly redirected to the download of some software, to supposedly eliminate it. This makes him infected, causing attackers to do whatever they want with him. Even encrypt it, to ask the user for a ransom.
Adware: Here we are faced with advertising floods. It is very common on mobile devices, and consists of displaying large amounts of ads.
Keyloggers: They are programs that are responsible for recording everything we write on the keyboard. Thanks to them, it is very easy to get a password. As a consequence, they can be done with the control of everything we have access from the mobile device.
Man in the Middle: These attacks consist of an infiltration of an attacker in communication between two teams. It is more common in messaging services, where the attacker obtains all the outgoing data from a device. Even today with the encryption of messages from many services, attacks of this style continue to occur.
Phishing: It is one of the most common attacks that we can find on the internet. The main objective is to supplant the identity of the user, and thus use their credentials for a malicious purpose. Like stealing bank accounts, making online purchases, or extorting users.
These are just one of the most dangerous. But there are many others that can occur. To be protected, the first layer of security is common sense. The good use of the devices and their services is something that will make life a lot easier for us in security matters.

In short, as you can see, they may put the security of your mobile at risk remotely. You should always keep the phone in good condition and protected and thus avoid many problems that compromise privacy.