Daily Habit That Shields Any Smartphone from Scams, Says Cybersecurity Expert

One recent tactic used by cybercriminals involves “zero-click” attacks. Unlike typical phishing attempts that require a user to click on a malicious link, these attacks do not require any user interaction. Just receiving a message, image, or file is enough to compromise a phone. This was the case with the spyware named Graphite, developed by Israeli firm Paragon Solutions, which managed to infiltrate the smartphones of at least 90 journalists and activists across numerous countries. The method is chillingly effective: a rigged attachment is sent via WhatsApp, and the exploit is triggered as soon as the file is received, giving attackers instant access to private messages and content.

In response to these covert threats, cybersecurity experts have been working on countermeasures. They have implemented several precautions such as regular security updates and the use of strong passwords. However, a simple yet effective method to protect against these intrusions is to regularly turn off your phone.

The suggestion may seem trivial, but it is based on a specific technical principle. “Many of these spywares only reside in the RAM and do not permanently install themselves on the system. By restarting your phone, you wipe them from your device,” explains Rocky Cole, co-founder of mobile threat protection company iVerify. Essentially, a daily reboot is enough to eliminate these transient malwares and prevent them from persisting.

This advice is also supported by the NSA (National Security Agency) in the United States, which advises users to restart their smartphones at least once a week. This habit limits the effectiveness of spyware and makes it harder for cybercriminals to operate. Of course, for more sophisticated spyware like Pegasus, a simple reboot might not always be sufficient. Attackers can re-infect a device after it is turned back on. However, this regular action still adds an extra layer of defense against surveillance and hacking.