How to protect my phone from being hacked
Protecting your mobile device from hacking, theft, and unauthorized access is crucial in today's digital age. If your phone gets hacked or stolen, it can lead to severe consequences. Unauthorized individuals may gain access to your personal information, putting you at risk of identity theft. Additionally, you could lose control over your financial accounts. By taking appropriate security measures and protecting your device, you can safeguard yourself against such threats.
Secure Your Device:
- Keep your phone software and apps up-to-date with the latest security patches.
- Only download apps from trusted sources like official app stores and reputable publishers.
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable biometric authentication (like Face or Touch ID) when available.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security, especially for financial apps.
- Consider using passwordless alternatives like passkeys for enhanced protection.
- Enable device-locating features like "Find My Device" and Activation Lock (for iPhones).
- Use a privacy screen to prevent shoulder surfing.
- Install antivirus protection to detect and stop malware threats.
Stay Vigilant:
- Be cautious of unexpected calls, texts, or messages asking for personal information or account details, as they could be phishing scams.
- Never share one-time passwords (OTPs) or login credentials with anyone.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi networks or use a virtual private network (VPN) for encryption.
- Create a guest network and don't share your home Wi-Fi password with others.
If Your Phone is Lost or Stolen:
- Immediately lock down your apps by accessing them from another device, changing passwords, and removing payment methods.
- Remove payment methods from digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo.
- Use location-tracking tools like "Find My Device" to track your lost phone and report the information to authorities.
- Use Activation Lock (for iPhones) to remotely lock down your stolen device.
- Report the theft to your service provider and the police.
- Warn friends and family about the stolen phone in case they receive suspicious messages or calls.
- Use the Plaid Portal or reach out to Plaid’s Support team to unlink your connected financial accounts from fintech apps to prevent unauthorized access.
Protect your financial accounts with Plaid:
Your fintech apps are some of the most sensitive items on your phone. Plaid helps you safely connect your financial accounts to those apps while giving you more control over your financial data.
If your phone is lost or stolen, you can use Plaid Portal to unlink accounts you've connected with apps via Plaid or just reach out to Plaid’s Support team. Then, attackers won’t be able to access your accounts through those apps.
For additional recommendations, please visit our Help Center article on how you can prevent financial fraud.
If you have Plaid-specific questions, please reach out to our Support team for further assistance by clicking the support icon on the bottom right corner of the page.