9 Ways Your Phone Could Be Putting Your Security at Risk

My phone is always complaining at me to update its software. When it’s not doing that, it’s asking to track me through whatever app I’m using. Turns out, this is more than just an annoyance. Making the wrong decision on either of these requests can actually create a phone security risk.

“Cell phones are a necessity in today’s world, but they are also usually a consumer’s most significant digital vulnerability,” says Yaron Litwin, a digital safety expert with Canopy. “Phones used to account for a small minority of web traffic, but now they make up the large majority; and phones present certain dangers that personal computers may not.”

Here are some of the ways your cell phone may be putting your digital and personal security at risk.

Outdated or Malicious Apps

Developers regularly update apps and smartphone software to address known security issues. Outdated apps on your phone can put you at risk. An easy fix is to turn on auto-updates for both your apps and phone.

Also, downloading some apps is risky, especially cash games. “Many are trying out games that pay out gift cards or cash, but most of those games contain malicious codes that can mess up your cell phone,” says Baruch Labunski, CEO of Rank Secure.

Public Wi-FI

“Public Wi-Fi is like the computer highway’s red-light district,” says Labunski. “It’s dangerous and particularly prone to phishing and hacks.”

Unsecured Wi-Fi networks can leave your phone and its data, including passwords, open to hackers. Solutions to this include not accessing sensitive data while on public Wi-Fi (or not using public Wi-Fi altogether), using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) like Canopy or ExpressVPN to encrypt your online traffic and accessing websites with HTTPS versions.

Similarly, Litwin recommends turning off Bluetooth when it’s not in use, as it can also act as a window for hackers to access your phone or computer.

Location Data

Sharing location data, or location tracking, is helpful to let family members keep track of one another. “However, having location trackers on pictures and social media posts also tells stalkers and potential child abductors too much about you and your children,” says Labunski. “Turn it off.”

For apps that need to know where you are, such as map apps, try to limit location-sharing permissions to “while using the app.”

Insufficient Cyber Hygiene

Cyber hygiene means keeping your phone and computers clean and healthy, which makes it more difficult for hackers to run amock.

Beyond updating apps and software regularly, to prevent phone security risks, set strong passwords and update them regularly, periodically clean out your cache and use multi-factor or biometric authentication, says Labunski.

But don’t make the common mistake of solely relying on the latter, says Lauren Hendry Parsons, a privacy advocate at ExpressVPN. “While biometrics logins using a fingerprint or face scan are increasingly common, using a fresh and strong password is the best way to physically protect your phone from bad actors,” she says.

Phishing via SMS (Smishing) and Email

A major way scammers and hackers obtain sensitive information is through fraudulent texts and emails. These typically pretend to be from legitimate entities and urge you to click on a link or share personal data. Once you do, the link leads to a scam website or the theft of sensitive data like passwords or credit card details or even unauthorized access to your accounts, says Nati Tal, head of Guardio Labs.

“Many think only older or less tech-savvy people fall for these scams, but phishing tactics are increasingly sophisticated and target all demographics,” he says. “Even savvy users can be fooled by personalized phishing attempts, proving no one is immune.”

The solution: Avoid clicking on links from unknown senders, verify messages by contacting the sender directly through official channels and use anti-phishing tools (like Guardio) for added protection.

Scam Calls

Similarly to smishing, scam callers often impersonate trusted entities like banks or government agencies to extract sensitive information or money over the phone. AI-powered voice spoofing is also making this harder to detect.

“Scam calls aren’t always obvious,” says Tal. “Caller ID spoofing makes these calls seem legitimate. One victim reported losing thousands to a fake IRS agent demanding payment for unpaid taxes.”

To protect yourself from these phone security risks, let unknown numbers go to voicemail, never share sensitive information unless you initiate the call and use call-blocking tools. “Don’t assume a caller is genuine just because they know your name, address or other personal details,” says Tal. “Scammers often use leaked personal information to make their calls sound legitimate and convincing.”

SIM Swapping

If your phone stops working, it could be that a criminal transferred your phone number to their own SIM card, which then gives them control over your phone calls, text messages and emails. This means they can potentially access your bank and other accounts, even if you use two-factor authentication. They can also steal your identity and pose as you, since any calls they make look as if they’re coming from your phone.

“Hijacking a phone number is alarmingly simple and SIM swappers often focus on cryptocurrency accounts due to their high value and lack of chargeback protections,” says Tal. “One victim shared how they lost their life savings in minutes after their phone stopped working.”

To protect yourself, notify your provider to block SIM swap requests if you suspect your personal data has been exposed, and use a separate number exclusively for two-factor authentication. Set up a PIN with your carrier and monitor your account for unusual activity.

QR Code Scams

Fraudsters use malicious QR codes to redirect users to phishing websites or install malware on their devices, says Tal. Sometimes it’s easy to spot a fake link, like “amazonn.xyz” or “bankkofamericas.net,” but since QR codes don’t show you the URL upfront, it makes it harder to verify their legitimacy.

“People assume QR codes are inherently safe because they are widely used in legitimate settings like restaurants and events,” he says. “Scammers exploit this by placing fake QR codes in both digital spaces like emails and social media, and also real-world locations. For example, last year, fraudsters stuck fake QR codes over parking signs, redirecting payments to phishing sites instead of the official ones.”

To protect against this, avoid scanning codes from unverified sources, and use tools (like Guardio) to detect and block malicious sites.

Public Charging Systems

In addition to providing power, public USB charging stations can also establish a data connection. This “juice jacking” isn’t too common, but if a criminal has compromised a charging station with malware, they could be able to access cell phone data, including passwords.

“Think of it as connecting your phone to a computer you do not trust, which in turn may attempt to access your device without your consent,” says Hendry Parsons.

To prevent this, carry your own charging cables or a portable battery.

About the Experts

• Nati Tal is the Head of Guardio Labs security tools, which protect millions from digital threats. He has more than a decade of experience in threat intelligence, malware analysis and vulnerability research.
• Yaron Litwin is a digital safety expert with the Canopy parental control and digital safety app, where he creates cutting-edge, positive impact technology products that offer a better, safer world.
• Baruch Labunski is the CEO of Rank Secure, a firm specializing in online marketing, branding and operational strategies.
• Lauren Hendry Parsons is a privacy advocate at ExpressVPN and co-chair of the VPN Trust Initiative, where she helps people understand the importance of digital privacy and security.

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