Turn Your Device Off And On Again, NSA’s Advice To Smartphone Users Gains Traction

Turning your phone off and then on again to reboot is not new advice, by any means. We heard the National Security Agency issue a warning in 2020, calling it the best practice to ensure a smooth and safer user experience.

Interestingly, the advice is back again, in the form of a warning to all smartphone users in 2024. Yes, the NSA wants you to be safe from all kinds of malware and spyware this year and this is the most efficient way to stay safe.

Many threat actors continue to target smartphone users. The NSA says through simple steps, you can save yourself from a lot of privacy and security issues by adding this practice to your routine of use. The best bit is, it’s simple advice for non-technical users.

As per the NSA, there is an entire guide on what you can do, what you need to avoid, and also how you should disable certain settings. Amongst the basic but very important steps include enabling strong PINs and passwords as well as biometric locks. Meanwhile, routine software updates are another way to remain safe as is avoiding clicking on unknown links or messages featuring attachments.

The second page of warnings features advice on how to mitigate threats coming in smartphone users’ direction. Amongst those was rebooting as it stops spear phishing attempts that are used to install malware. Similarly, it prevents zero-click exploitation which is also on the rise.

So the take-home message is that turning your phone off and on again is not to be taken lightly. Rebooting is simple, free, and a quick step that your future self and device will thank you for. Don’t forget to visit the NSA website for more insights regarding the security document, whether you have an Android or an iPhone.

Read next: Google Messages Introduces Contact Verification, Scam Filters, and More in Security Overhaul