TRUMP - 5 rules to protect your phone!

T.R.U.M.P. – 5 Rules to Protect Your Smartphone from Spyware

T – Think Before You Tap

Always check who made the app, read the reviews, and don’t download blindly. If something feels off – it probably is.

Many times you might get an offer for an app from friends on WhatsApp or mail, or get a notice saying you have viruses and need to download antivirus to remove them. Pause before you click – in most cases, these are phishing attempts. These apps can spy on you or encrypt all the data on your phone and demand thousands of dollars to unlock it.

R – Reliable Sources Only

Download apps only from official app stores (Google Play / App Store). Third-party APKs? Big red flag.

Never download apps outside of the Google or Apple stores. Many third-party platforms host APK files for games and apps. Hackers can inject malicious code into these, and once downloaded, the app can run spyware or malware on your device.

U – Use Permission Control

Don’t let apps access your camera, mic, or location unless absolutely necessary. Review permissions regularly in your settings.

Many people install apps and ignore the permissions they ask for. After each install, go to Settings > Apps and check what permissions the app has. Review older apps too, so you maintain control over what access each app has.

M – Minimize Installed Apps

Remove unused apps. Fewer apps = fewer risks. Background apps can still collect your data.

Many old apps are no longer updated, leaving known vulnerabilities open for hackers to exploit. Regularly clean up your device and keep only the apps you use.

P – Privacy Comes First

Enable two-factor authentication, use strong passwords, and secure your device with a lock. Privacy is more valuable than convenience.

Strong passwords go beyond 8-character combinations. Use at least 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols (e.g., @, !, etc.). These are much harder to crack and can take a very long time to brute force.