Clicking and Sharing

This week in the national news was how Jeff Bezo's iPhone was hacked back in 2018. He had recently shared his contact information with Prince Mohammad Bin Salmad of Saudi Arabia.  Not long after he received a WhatsApp message that contained some silly stuff but also a bit of malicious code that allowed a third party to gain access to his files including photos that the party tried to use to blackmail Bezos.

So, if the founder of Amazon can fall victim to phone hacking through social media, how can regular people prevent bad actors from getting access to their phones and personal information?  While this incident happened on WhatsApp, it could have just as easily been a text message, or on Messenger or in your email.

Follow some simple rules
Keep your apps up to date.  Updates often include security patches.

Do not click on links!   Do not open videos or chain letters, or pass them on.  I do not open or pass them on.  While they may be harmless, they are a way that malware can spread.  Be wary of messages from unfamiliar names but be equally careful if your great Aunt Viola sends you a video.  Many of these are spoofed messages and the real sender is hidden.  

​This include sharing on Facebook or taking quizzes.  You are giving away your privacy.