No matter if you’re unplugging on a paradisiacal beach or exploring new urban corners: the phone remains the inseparable companion of summer. We use it to take photos, check routes on Google Maps, share moments on social media and even to pay for ice cream. But amid so much connection, who watches over our digital security so it doesn’t melt under the sun?
Signs your phone might be in the wrong hands
Cyberattacks don’t rest, especially when our attention is in vacation mode. From ESET, cybersecurity experts, warn that our habits change during the summer, and with them, the risk multiplies that malicious third parties access our devices. But how can you know if someone has put their digital paws on your smartphone?
Here are some unmistakable signs:
- The battery drains faster for no apparent reason.
- The phone gets hot even when you’re not using it.
- You find apps you didn’t install.
- You receive alerts of suspicious logins from places you’ve never been.
- The browser behaves oddly, with pop-up windows and phantom ads.
If your phone shows one or more of these symptoms, it’s time to activate the emergency protocol. Because, although we’re not talking about a HAL 9000-style failure from 2001: A Space Odyssey, you could be facing unauthorized access to your device.
Red alert! What to do if you think your phone has been hacked?
When you suspect your device has been compromised, your best shield is to act quickly and with a cool head. The steps recommended by specialists are clear and effective.
- Cut off all internet access: turn off Wi‑Fi and mobile data immediately to interrupt any suspicious connection to the outside.
- Enable airplane mode (or safe mode on Android) to keep using the device without risks.
- From a secure device, change all your passwords for important services: email, social networks, online banking, etc.
- Make sure two-step verification is enabled; many apps offer this extra layer of protection that can spare you bigger headaches.
- Back up your important files and, if the problem doesn’t go away, consider doing a factory reset. Going back to the original settings can be the best data-friendly cleanup.
- Talk to your mobile carrier to block the SIM if necessary and report any misuse of your number.
And if you’ve already lost access to your bank account or your data has been compromised, don’t hesitate to contact your bank and file a report with the National Police or the Civil Guard. Because, just like in the universe of Watch Dogs, every byte counts when your digital identity is at stake.
Key tips to lock down your smartphone this holiday season
Prevention is always better than launching the antivirus in kamikaze mode. So, before you head out on your next summer adventure, keep these security recommendations in mind that, besides being practical, can save you from a bad time:
- Avoid public Wi‑Fi networks without protection or, if there’s no other option, browse using a secure VPN.
- Download apps only from official stores like Google Play Store or the App Store. Just as you wouldn’t accept candy from strangers, don’t trust external links either.
- Be suspicious of suspicious links, even if they come from friends. Phishing has no sentimentalities.
- Enable device encryption and keep the operating system and all apps up to date.
- Enable tracking features like “Find My iPhone” or “Find My Device”, in case you have to play digital hide and seek.
- Avoid sharing your real-time location on social networks. There’s no need for the whole Internet to know that you’re away from home.
One final question: is it worth risking your privacy for a free Wi‑Fi network? With small smart decisions you can keep your digital identity secure and enjoy your well-deserved vacation with total peace of mind.
