How to protect your phone from spyware with free built-in settings
Some spyware needs no click. Apple, Google and WhatsApp offer free settings that are the best defense available today.
The problem
Advanced spyware can infect a phone without you clicking anything. These free settings help.
iPhone: Lockdown Mode
- Settings > Privacy & Security > Lockdown Mode.
- Apple said as of March it has never detected a successful spyware attack on a device with Lockdown Mode on.
Android: Advanced Protection Mode
- Extra device protection.
- Auto-reboots a phone that's been locked for 72 hours.
- Google accounts also have the Advanced Protection Program.
WhatsApp: Strict Account Settings
- WhatsApp has more than 3 billion users.
- Strict Account Settings adds protection, but you must turn it on.
Security expert Runa Sandvik: "These features are free, easy to enable, and the best defense we have today against sophisticated spyware."
Founder and editor-in-chief of Kurd Developers. Phone and tech news on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
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