spyware

How to protect your privacy from spies in electronic devices

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When we talk about spies you probably think about typical movie characters who take photos secretly from afar, but the reality is different. Spies can be very close to you, in your electronic devices which you use daily. The internet of things has come to solve many of our day-to-day activities, the problem is that any device connected to the Internet, no matter how harmless it may seem, can be an open window to access your information. So, how to protect your privacy from spies? protecting your information does not only have to do with installing an antivirus on your computer or mobile when even your smart refrigerator could also be vulnerable to a data leak.

It’s not just about protecting your information from potential hackers or cybercriminals, but from companies that want to obtain your data and then offer you products in a personalized way, without your consent.

Televisions, refrigerators, lamps, thermostats, voice assistants such as Alexa or Siri, and an endless number of appliances that need to be connected to the Internet, collect your personal information, use cameras or information from your home to work properly.

Tips to protect your privacy in technology and on the internet

  1. Let’s start with the basics: it is essential to read the terms and conditions of each service that we use, although they may seem long and incomprehensible, it is the only way to know what type of data the device collects and how it uses it.
  2. The most common victim of a spy is on mobile devices, through Spyware, but do not worry, there are always ways to control them, and here you can know how.
  3. If it is about spies, we can not leave out the ability of Google services to make you feel spied on. Here you can read how to control the access they have to your information and continue to use them.
  4. Generally, at home, we have a router to provide a connection to all the devices you have connected and which are in use. This means that if it is not well protected, this could be the first access to the information stored by ALL your devices. So the first device to protect your privacy is your router.
  5. The voice assistants are those that have caused more controversy, due to their powerful sensors and the capacity they have to listen and keep information since they are always in search of a command that orders some action. Therefore it is important to deactivate that constant listening and activate it only when necessary.
  6. The vast majority of these devices allow you to erase the data that you have been storing. In the case of Google, for example, your devices and applications have an activity page that allows you to delete them, as well as to register what interests you. That will make it possible for you to eliminate clues about your actions on these devices.
  7. Although we know that the only way that these devices are 100% secure and that they can not be accessed, is that they are disconnected from the Internet, but in this way, it does not make sense to use them. However, it is not necessary to connect every application the device has, all applications can be connected at the time of use, or only the applications or accessories needed or most used.
  8. You can add some of the firewalls created especially for the internet of things, these are small devices designed so that everyone who is connected can protect themselves from cyber attacks.
  9. Do not forget, of course, the need to protect our devices such as: mobiles, computers or tablets, which have a greater capacity to store data, either with their respective antivirus, using VPNs to connect or protecting your files in applications like HushApp that allow you to store and send your files easily and safely.

It is not necessary to go back to the past and reuse the old devices and home appliances to protect your privacy, there are ways to take advantage of the technology by using them in a responsible and safe way.

10 tips to avoid being a victim of a spyware

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Did you know that there are applications that allow you to spy on your mobile devices? Yes, they are called spyware or software to spy on devices. They are applications that can be downloaded by anyone for free with a simple search on the Internet. All you need to do is simply install it on your victim’s device and begin spying!

The capability of these applications might be shocking to learn. They can access all the conversations that are carried out by WhatsApp or other social media, intervene the microphone of your device, know the geolocation, and even activate remote camera to see what happens around the phone at all times.

Imagine a scenario where a guy gives his girlfriend a cell phone, but without informing her, installed a spy application. Through this spyware they can monitor all online activity without the user being aware. Despite this being an extreme example,  in general, people should be aware of their privacy and understand how easily it can be compromised

These types of applications are usually offered to parents to “monitor” their children’s mobile devices, or for a boss who wants to monitor employees. This can undoubtedly generate a great debate regarding privacy.

The only thing we can do is protect our devices from these type of applications, and here we explain how.

How to avoid being spied on with spyware applications?

  1. There are simple signals that can alert you if something strange happens on your cell phone. One of them is the performance of your battery, although it can be due to many causes, if you detect an unusual battery consumption, it is possible that there is an app of this type.
  2. Check the list of applications, if there is any unknown, You can uninstall if you do not need it.
  3. Do not lend your cell phone to strangers, although it seems obvious, it needs to be said. A spyware can be installed very quickly and silently.
  4. One of the easiest and most effective ways is to install anti-spyware applications, these will allow you to detect if the device has installed malicious software. You can also install an antivirus, some computers already come with anti-spyware installed.
  5. Only install applications that come from official stores.
  6. If you already have the suspicion that you are being spied on and you have not managed to eliminate the spyware, a preventive measure is to have the device in airplane mode which will cancel any type of connection to the outside.
  7. Avoid using public Wi-fi: These are an open door for an intruder to access your information. If you need to, here are ways to use a public network more securely.
  8. Check the permission you are giving to each application: Check what permission you give to each application, and if you really need access to the camera or microphone.
  9. If after you have performed all the previous actions you still have suspicions that you are being spied on, you can restore the phone to the factory state.
  10. If the situation is already delicate enough, it will be necessary to report the incident to the police.

Avoid spies of flesh and blood

Even when we apply all security measures to protect your mobile devices, there will always be “spies of flesh and blood”, those who like to take a look (without permission) and review the information in your cell phone. And for this type of spy there is no anti-spy app or sanction.

But if you can make their life more difficult in a very simple way, add and combine more complex authentication patterns, use the actions that are recorded in the device’s sensors as fingerprint or facial recognitions, among other things that hinder access from an intruder trying to spy on your device.

Finally, encrypt your files, keep them safe in applications such as HushApp, so you can access and view the contents on your cell phone. Your files will remain protected within your HushBox.