How can I protect my phone from hackers?

Your smartphone is your daily companion: messages, photos, banking, emails, social media, maybe even health data. That’s exactly why it’s interesting for hackers too. Sometimes, all it takes is an unwary tap, an unsafe download or an open Wi-Fi network – and attackers have found a way in. The good news: with a few simple habits, you can protect your phone well against hackers, without having to deal with technical details every day. But which settings really matter, and how can you stay safer in everyday life?

19.12.2025 | Reading time: 7 minutes

Why hackers are after your smartphone

In the past, computers were the main target; today smartphones are at least as attractive – sometimes even more so. On your phone you often have:

• login details for email, social networks and online shops
  
  
• stored card and payment details
  
  
• private photos, chats and documents
  
  
• one-time codes for two-factor logins
  
  

Hackers try to get hold of this data in various ways – for example through malicious apps, fake links, insecure Wi-Fi or stolen devices. Their goal is often to access your money (via banking or shopping accounts, for instance) or to sell your data. The better you know where the typical weak points are, the easier it is to protect your phone against them.

A strong lock screen – your first line of defence

The lock screen is your most important basic protection. Without it, anyone who finds your phone can quickly access everything.

Make sure that:

• you always have a lock enabled (PIN, pattern or password)
  
  
• your PIN is not “1234”, “0000” or your date of birth
  
  
• you also use fingerprint or facial recognition if possible
  
  
• the screen locks automatically after a short period of inactivity
  
  

A longer PIN (e.g. six digits instead of four) or a strong password makes it much harder to bypass your lock screen. Even if it means a bit more typing, the security benefit is significant.

Passwords, PINs and two-factor protection

Many attacks don’t target the device directly, but your online accounts. If someone knows your email password, they can often reset access to other accounts. That’s why strong passwords and two-factor protection are essential if you want to protect your phone from hackers.

Key points:

• use separate passwords for each important service (email, banking, cloud)
  
  
• choose long passwords or passphrases rather than short “classics”
  
  
• use a reputable password manager if you can – it helps you create and manage your credentials
  
  
• enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it’s offered – for example via an authenticator app or SMS codes
  
  

This way, a single leaked password isn’t enough to take over your most important accounts.

Keeping your software up to date

Updates can be annoying, but they are extremely important. They close security gaps that attackers could exploit.

Make sure that:

• your operating system (Android or iOS) is up to date
  
  
• you allow app updates regularly
  
  
• when in doubt, you tap “Update now” rather than postponing it again and again
  
  

On many devices you can turn on automatic updates. If you’re worried about your data allowance, you can set them to download over Wi-Fi only. That way you combine security with data savings.

Being careful with apps, links and attachments

Many attacks start with tapping the wrong link or installing an app from an untrustworthy source. If you’re asking yourself “How can I protect my phone from hackers?”, a healthy dose of scepticism in everyday life is one of the most important factors.

Install only trusted apps

Download apps ideally only from official stores (Google Play Store, Apple App Store). Avoid APK files from unknown sources – even if they look like a “free deal”. Before installing, take a quick look:

• who is the provider?
  
  
• what are the ratings like and how many downloads are there?
  
  
• does the app actually match what it claims to do?
  
  

Be especially careful with apps that request excessive permissions (for example access to contacts and SMS for a simple torch app).

Be cautious with links and messages

Phishing is a big issue on smartphones too. You might receive an email, SMS or messenger message claiming to be from your bank, a parcel service or a well-known provider – urging you to click on a link immediately.

Basic rules:

• open links from unknown or unexpected messages with great care
  
  
• don’t enter login details via links opened directly from a message
  
  
• if in doubt, type the official website address into your browser manually or use the official app
  
  

If something feels “off”, it’s better to check once too often than to click without thinking.

Staying safe on public Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi in cafés, on trains or at airports is convenient, but rarely perfectly secure. Hackers may try to intercept data or set up fake hotspots.

Tips:

• for sensitive activities (banking, logging into important accounts), use your mobile network rather than an insecure Wi-Fi
  
  
• if you’re often on public Wi-Fi, a VPN service can provide extra protection
  
  
• turn off automatic connection to open networks so your phone doesn’t connect “somewhere” without you noticing
  
  
  

Protecting your phone from hackers if it’s lost or stolen

A lost or stolen phone can also turn into a security problem. That’s why it’s important to set up a few things in advance.

Useful measures:

• make sure “Find my device” (Android) or “Find My” (Apple) is enabled – this lets you locate, lock or, in an emergency, erase your device remotely
  
  
• always use a lock screen, as described above
  
  
• check whether your most important apps (e.g. banking) offer an extra lock – such as their own PIN or biometric login
  
  

If your phone goes missing, you should also, as quickly as possible:

• have your SIM card blocked
  
  
• change your most important passwords (especially email and banking)
  
  
• reset your device via the relevant service if necessary
  
  

This reduces the risk that someone can misuse your handset.

Extra protection: backups, antivirus and children’s devices

Beyond the basics, a few additional steps can be useful – depending on how you use your phone.

• Backups: regular backups ensure you don’t lose your data, even if you have to reset your phone. Automatic cloud backups are very handy.
  
  
• Antivirus apps: on Android, a reputable security app can provide extra help (e.g. by scanning apps or links). Stick to well-known providers and avoid installing several security apps at once – that usually creates chaos rather than protection.
  
  
• Children’s devices: if you want to protect your child’s phone, parental controls, restricted profiles and clear rules for installing apps are especially important.
  
  

There’s no need to go overboard – the key is to get the fundamentals right. Extra tools can be helpful, but they never replace secure settings and mindful behaviour.

Checklist – how to make your phone more secure

To finish, here’s a brief overview of how you can protect your phone from hackers:

• enable a lock screen with a secure PIN or password and use biometric authentication
  
  
• protect important accounts with strong, unique passwords and 2FA
  
  
• update your operating system and apps regularly
  
  
• install apps only from official stores and check their permissions
  
  
• be careful with links in emails, SMS and messenger apps
  
  
• avoid carrying out critical actions over open, unsecured Wi-Fi
  
  
• turn on “Find my device” and make sure you know how to lock or erase your phone remotely in an emergency
  
  

Following these points already puts you significantly better protected than many other users.

Conclusion: protecting your phone from hackers with simple steps

The question “How can I protect my phone from hackers?” may sound like something only IT professionals can answer. In practice, though, it’s mostly simple habits that make the difference: a secure lock screen, strong passwords, careful handling of apps and links, and regular updates.

You don’t have to know every new threat or constantly install special tools. If you take the basic protective measures seriously and stay a little alert in everyday life, you make it very hard for hackers to access your data – and you can use your smartphone in a much more relaxed way.