This article was taken from the October 2011 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Voicemail hacking is old news for Oliver Crofton, director of Vigilante Bespoke, a London-based digital-security company that protects high-profile individuals. He says criminals now have a wealth of new ways to target your mobile -- and people who appear regularly in national newspapers can expect around six hacking attempts per month. Here's how to defend yourself.
1. NEVER TRUST SMS
Networks don't confirm the sender's identity, so sites such as
hoaxmail.com can be used to send messages that appear to come from a trusted number. "Don't conduct sensitive negotiations over texts," says Crofton.
2. HIT LINKS CAUTIOUSLY
A hyperlink might seem to be from a trustworthy sender, but think twice before clicking on it. The page could transmit a virus to your handset that scrapes your contacts, call logs, texts and photos.
3. BE VIGILANT
Viruses have to transmit personal data from your phone back to the hacker, so watch out for warning signs such as unusually fast battery-drain and high data charges. If you have suspicions, ditch that device.
4. LOCK DOWN YOUR KIT "The easiest way to put a virus on a phone is to physically take the handset and download the bug," says Crofton. "It takes two or three minutes." So, set a pass code to prevent unauthorised access.
5. ALWAYS USE 3G "A hacker can set up a beaming Wi-Fi network. Your phone connects to it, then you're asked to log in to, say, Facebook," says Crofton. But it's a hoax page that skims your info before passing you to the real site.
6. NO PRIVATE NUMBERS
Why? Try this: Call A from one phone, and A's pal B from another, barring the numbers. On answer, put the handsets together, with a mic in the middle. Thinking one called the other, they may divulge some gossip.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
