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How To Protect Your Phone From Hackers and Safeguard Your Private Information

Written by

Ashley Ferraro, Marketing

Reviewed by

Jun 2, 2025

•

Min Read

Protect Your Payments

Mobile phones have become an increasingly common target for cybercriminals. According to Kaspersky, attacks on mobile devices surged to nearly 33.8 million in 2023, a 50% increase from 2022^[1]. Considering the sensitive information users’ phones hold—like banking credentials, personal messages, photos, and login details—a single breach can lead to identity theft, financial loss, or unauthorized access to your digital life.

To help you stay ahead of the threats, this guide will show you how to protect your phone from hackers and what to do if your device is compromised. We’ll also explore how virtual cards can add a critical layer of protection when shopping or managing payments online.

The Most Common Phone Security Threats

Mobile phones are exposed to mobile-specific and general online threats from hackers who use them to gain unauthorized access to your device and the sensitive information it holds. Some of these attack vectors include:

Threat	Mechanism
Malware and spyware	Scammers hide malicious code in seemingly harmless apps and use it to log keystrokes, capture data, and steal payment card information.
Phishing and smishing	Attackers send fake emails or texts to trick you into visiting phony login pages, sharing personal information, or downloading malicious software.
Public WiFi sniffing	Hackers can intercept unencrypted traffic on open WiFi, capturing your logins, session cookies, and payment details.
SIM swap	Criminals trick your carrier into transferring your number to their SIM card, enabling them to request one-time SMS codes and access your accounts.
Software vulnerabilities	Cybercriminals exploit flaws in outdated operating systems or apps to run code that allows them to gain unauthorized access to devices and their data.

What To Do if You Suspect Your Phone Is Hacked

An image of a person sitting at a table with flowers on it, with a smartphone in one hand and a payment card in the other — *Source:* *Mikhail Nilov*

If you've noticed strange activity on your phone, including overheating, persistent pop-ups, and the battery draining too quickly, acting promptly can help prevent potential data theft. Here’s what you can do:

Scan your device using a trusted mobile security app. Most antivirus tools will alert you if any malware is present and guide you through its removal.
Use device security tools and settings provided by your phone’s operating system to set device protections, manage app permissions, and check the apps for malware.
Call your carrier immediately if you suddenly lose cell service or receive unrequested codes. Ask them to check for unauthorized SIM changes and enable port-out protection or an account PIN if it isn’t already set.
Perform a factory reset as a last resort to reinstall a clean version of the operating system, but make sure to back up important data first.

If you believe the hack might compromise your identity or financial information, consider filing a report with the FTC^[2] or submitting the details to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)^[3].

Tips To Protect Your Phone and Its Data From Hackers

The following practices can strengthen your defense against hackers and reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your device:

Use strong lock screen and account authentication methods
Regularly update the operating system and apps
Use a VPN when connecting to public networks
Regularly back up your data
Use your phone’s remote lock and data wipe features
Use a trusted mobile security app

Use Strong Lock Screen and Account Authentication Methods

A close-up shot of a person sitting in front of an iMac, holding a smartphone in one hand and a payment card in the other — *Source:* *Erick Gielow*

Setting up a secure screen lock—like a PIN, password, pattern, fingerprint, or Face ID—protects your phone from unauthorized access in case it’s lost or stolen. Both Android and Apple devices offer multiple screen lock options:

On Android devices—Go to Settings > Security > Screen lock to choose from PIN, pattern, password, or biometric options like fingerprint^[4].
On iOS devices—Navigate to Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode to set up biometric login and a secure passcode^[5].

To protect the accounts on your phone, set strong, unique passwords for each account. Password managers like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden can generate and securely store complex passwords so you don’t have to memorize them.

Finally, use apps that offer two-factor authentication (2FA), which can be secured with a PIN or passcode for added protection. This adds a second protective barrier, so even if someone steals your password, they still can’t break in.

Regularly Update the Operating System and Apps

Operating system updates often include critical security patches that address newly discovered vulnerabilities. Delaying these updates can leave your device wide open to threats, which is why it’s essential to either enable automatic updates or manually check for them:

On Android devices—Go to System> Settings > Software update to get the latest version of software^[6].
On iOS devices—Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates, then toggle on both Automatically Download iOS Updates and Automatically Install iOS Updates^[7].

Updating your apps is equally important, as many mobile-specific attacks target outdated versions. Both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store allow you to enable automatic app updates in their settings menus. Don’t forget to uninstall or disable unused apps, particularly those side-loaded from outside official stores. These apps often stop receiving updates and can become security liabilities.

Use a VPN When Connecting to Public Networks

Using a virtual private network (VPN) when connecting to public WiFi can protect you by:

Encrypting your connection to reduce the risk of man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks
Shielding your IP address from attackers to make it harder for hackers to track you online
Using private DNS servers to protect you from DNS redirects
Keeping your browsing activity private, even from your internet service provider or the network owner

A person holding a smartphone, with the screen showing a bold "VPN" icon and the message "You are protected" beneath it — *Source:* *Stefan Coders*

VPNs are available as apps on both Android and iOS. Many reputable providers—like Norton VPN, Surfshark VPN, Windscribe VPN, or Proton VPN—offer mobile-friendly options with one-tap activation.

Regularly Back Up Your Phone Data

Backing up your phone regularly comes with two benefits:

It makes it convenient to transfer your contacts, photos, apps, settings, and messages from your old device to a new one when upgrading or replacing your phone.
If your phone is ever lost, stolen, or compromised, you can remotely wipe it to protect your privacy while still having a full, secure copy of your data saved elsewhere.

iPhones and Android phones offer built-in backup options to help you recover your data if your phone is lost, stolen, or compromised. Here’s how you can access them:

On Android devices—Go to Settings>Google>All services>Backup and restore^[8].
On iOS devices—Navigate to Settings>[your name]>iCloud>iCloud Backup^[9].

Use Your Phone’s Remote Lock and Data Wipe Features

Locking your phone remotely or wiping its data allows you to prevent unauthorized access to your device and the information it holds in case it's lost or stolen.

An image showing a smartphone with a chain around it and a closed combination padlock on a wooden surface — *Source:* *Towfiqu barbhuiya*

Here’s how to do this:

On Android devices—Use the Find Hub app to locate your phone, lock it, or erase it remotely^[10]. This feature is automatically turned on if you have a Google account linked to your device.
On iOS devices—Sign in to Find Devices on iCloud, select the device, and click Erase This Device^[11].or Mark As Lost^[12].

Use a Trusted Mobile Security App

Many effective apps that protect your phone from hackers offer much more than just antivirus scans. They can detect malicious behavior in real time, warn you about unsafe websites or suspicious downloads, and even alert you if your personal data appears in a known data breach.

Is Phone Security Enough To Keep Your Payment Data Safe?

Hacking your phone is only one method criminals use to try to access your payment card details. Even if your phone is secure, your data can still be exposed through third-party breaches, such as compromised retailers or payment processors.

To further increase the security of your payment card details when shopping online, consider using virtual cards. These cards hide your real card details by generating a unique, temporary card number for each transaction or merchant. That way, if one site is breached, your actual card numbers remains secure.

Some banks, such as Citi and Capital One, offer virtual cards. However, if you choose a dedicated provider like Privacy, you won’t have to open a new account with a specific bank. Thanks to the Privacy App, you’ll be able to create virtual cards, monitor card activity, and receive real-time alerts on your Android or iOS device.

Shield Your Financial Details From Hackers With Privacy Virtual Cards

After linking a funding source—a bank account or a debit card—to Privacy, you can generate 16-digit virtual card numbers, each with its own unique CVV and expiration date. You can use these cards like your regular payment cards for online transactions, knowing that your actual card details won’t be shared with the merchant.

The table below outlines the three different types of Privacy Cards:

Privacy Card Type	Description
Single-Use	These cards close automatically shortly after the first transaction, making them useless for hackers who might try to steal them.
Merchant-Locked	These cards are “locked” to a single merchant. Even if a potential hacker gets the card number, they won’t be able to use it elsewhere. These cards are perfect to use for subscriptions.
Category-Locked	These cards “tie” to a merchant category you choose, such as groceries or entertainment. If a hacker tries to use them outside the category, the charge will be automatically declined.

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You can pause or close your Privacy Cards at any time to stop future charges, without impacting your linked funding source. You can also set spending limits on each virtual card, and any charge that exceeds the limit will be automatically blocked.

What Makes Privacy Cards Secure?

Privacy uses security features typically employed by banks, including:

Two-factor authentication (2FA)—This feature adds an extra layer of protection to your account by requiring a second verification step at login besides your password.
End-to-end encryption—All sensitive information is encrypted in transit and at rest, helping ensure your data remains secure.
Secure data storage—Your information is housed on private, single-tenant servers in multiple locations. These servers are protected by strict firewalls and aren’t accessible from the public internet.
Fraud protection—If you suspect your virtual card was used for an unauthorized transaction, you can dispute the charge, and Privacy will investigate and file a chargeback if there are grounds for it.

Privacy Convenience Features

Privacy makes managing your payments seamless and straightforward with features such as:

Browser extension—Autofill your virtual card details instantly at checkout using the Privacy Browser Extension for Firefox, Edge, Chrome, Safari, and Safari for iOS. This way, making online payments becomes faster and more efficient.

1Password Integration—Generate, store, and use your Privacy Cards directly within the 1Password browser extension.

Card Notes—Keep things organized by adding custom notes to each card, such as merchant names, billing dates, or renewal reminders.

Shared Cards—Easily and securely share virtual cards with trusted friends or family members without revealing your actual payment details.

Getting Your First Privacy Card Is Easy

If you’re a U.S. resident aged 18 or older with a checking account at a U.S. bank or credit union, here’s how you can get your first Privacy Virtual Card:

Sign up for your Privacy account
Verify your identity by submitting KYC information
Link a funding source to the account, such as your debit card or bank account
Create your first Privacy Virtual Card

Explore Privacy’s four monthly plans and select one that meets your requirements:

Plan	Monthly Cost	Number of New Virtual Cards per Month	Benefits
Personal	Free for domestic transactions	12	Secure transactions with Single-Use & Merchant-Locked Cards Set spending limits and pause or close cards at any time Fast and secure checkout using the Privacy Browser Extension and Privacy App
Plus	$5	24	All Personal plan features Priority support and Live Chat (Mon–Fri, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET) Additional features like Category-Locked Cards, Shared Cards, and Card Notes
Pro	$10	36	All Plus features Foreign transactions at zero fee 1% cashback on eligible purchases (totaling up to $4,500/month)
Premium	$25	60	Everything in Pro

References

^[1]Kaspersky. https://www.kaspersky.com/about/press-releases/attacks-on-mobile-devices-significantly-increase-in-2023, sourced April 23, 2025

^[2]Federal Trade Commission. https://www.identitytheft.gov/, sourced April 23, 2025

^[3]Federal Bureau of Investigation. https://www.ic3.gov/, sourced April 23, 2025

^[4]Google Support. https://support.google.com/android/answer/9079129?hl=en, sourced April 23, 2025

^[5]Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-us/119586, sourced April 23, 2025

^[6]Google Support. https://support.google.com/android/answer/7680439?hl=en, sourced April 23, 2025

^[7]Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-us/118575, sourced April 23, 2025

^[8]Google Support. https://support.google.com/android/answer/2819582?hl=en, sourced April 23, 2025

^[9]Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-us/108366, sourced April 23, 2025

^[10]Google Support. https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6160491?hl=en, sourced April 23, 2025

^[11]Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/icloud/mmfc0ef36f/icloud, sourced April 23, 2025

^[12]Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/icloud/mmfc0f0165/icloud, sourced May 7, 2025

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Privacy — Seamless & Secure Online Card Payments

Checkout securely online by creating unique virtual card numbers for every purchase. Avoid data breaches, unwanted charges, and stolen credit card numbers.