[TVARC] Cell Phones

[N4REE - Bob]

Most of these security tips seem very logical, EXCEPT for the restart. I 
want to know more about the malware prevention that happens with a 
restart.  Yes, maybe it clears some trivial cached data, but it also 
signals the NSA that the phone is still an active network participant. I 
don't want to give them any more than they already scrape up.

It's a mistake to blithely believe everything a government security 
agency tells us.

73 de N4REE, Bob Easton

On 6/3/2024 3:41 PM, wa1utq--- via TVARC wrote:
>
> *Restart your phone more often, US spy agency NSA warns users*
>
> 3h • 2 min read
>
> Restart your phone more often, US spy agency NSA warns users© Provided 
> by TAG24 NEWS
>
> Restarting a smartphone takes just a few moments, and yet it's 
> something that many of us rarely take the time to do.
>
> However one major US spy agency is now calling on smartphone owners to 
> consciously turn off and on their phones at least once a week, as this 
> helps to protect the device from certain hacking attempts.
>
> Malware launched via spearphishing and zero-click exploits can be 
> prevented by manually turning the device off and on again, according 
> to a list of "Mobile Device Best Practices 
> <https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21018353-nsa-mobile-device-best-practices&xcust=2-1-2330195-1-0-0>" 
> issued by the cyberespionage analysts at the US National Security 
> Agency (NSA).
>
> Android smartphones can typically be restarted by long pressing the 
> power button or holding the power button and the volume up button at 
> the same time.
>
> If you have an iPhone, you'll need to switch it off once, wait briefly 
> and then switch it on again. You can do by pressing the lock button 
> and the volume up button at the same time.
>
> That's not all you can do to keep your phone safe. Here are some other 
> tips for improved smartphone and tablet security, courtesy of the NSA:
>
>   * Install any updates as soon as possible - the good thing is these
>     also always involve a restart
>   * Deactivate wi-fi and Bluetooth if you aren't using them
>   * Avoid using public wi-fi networks
>   * Don't lock your phone with a simple password: A six-digit PIN code
>     is sufficient so long as your device blocks further unlock
>     attempts after 10 unsuccessful entries
>   * Avoid clicking on unexpected pop-up windows that prompt you to
>     install apps. If that happens, close all your active programmes.
>     You can do that by swiping up from the bottom of your screen and
>     closing all active windows. On iPhones and Androids with a home
>     button, you can do this by double-tapping the button.
>
> You know all that? Then here are some more advanced suggestions 
> tailored to people with confidential information on their phones:
>
>   * Don't have confidential conversations near a mobile device that is
>     not configured for that purpose
>   * Avoid charging your phone with equipment you don't know, such as
>     public charging stations or from cables that don't come from a
>     well-known manufacturer
>   * Consider using a device cover to shield your microphone, to
>     prevent hot-miking attacks, which activate your microphone without
>     you noticing
>   * Cover up your camera when you are not using it
>
> *Related video*: NSA advises Android and iPhone users to restart 
> devices weekly (WFXR Roanoke)
>
> *AD*
>
> 73 Bruce WA1UTQ
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> TVARC mailing list
> Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/tvarc
> Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post:mailto:TVARC at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

-- 
QRP Forever ---===+++===--- Make CW a second language
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/tvarc/attachments/20240603/d9063b30/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 68 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/tvarc/attachments/20240603/d9063b30/attachment.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.png
Type: image/png
Size: 174 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/tvarc/attachments/20240603/d9063b30/attachment-0001.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 2544 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/tvarc/attachments/20240603/d9063b30/attachment.gif>