Turning your phone on and off weekly helps increase the device’s lifespan
How often do you turn off your cell phone? In our smartphone- obsessed world , this probably isn’t a regular habit, but the National Security Agency (NSA ) recommends turning it off and on weekly .
Why does the country’s top spy agency care how often you restart your iPhone? This tip is part of the NSA’s list of “mobile best practices” designed to help people recognize and mitigate threats to the mini computer they carry in their pockets. While we all know not to click on suspicious links or download unknown files on our laptops, these same precautions should be applied to our smartphones.
This guidance is not new; the NSA first issued these tips in 2020. However, they resurfaced this week in a Forbes report . In an era of no-click attacks and smishing messages (SMS phishing), it’s a prudent reminder that we must take every measure possible to protect ourselves against scammers and hackers.
Phone manufacturers also claim that turning your device off and on regularly can help prevent slowdowns and freezes.
Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Other tips from the agency include turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use, keeping the operating system and applications updated, disabling location services and using secure passwords on the lock screen. The NSA also advises using trusted accessories, as malicious actors can exploit your mobile device’s charging port to gain access and cause damage.
Many of these suggestions are universally best practices across any platform. Be careful with email attachments that appear suspicious, even from familiar contacts. Pop-ups can be a gateway for malware, and never share sensitive information like passwords over text messages.
Some recommendations may be inconvenient, especially if you have a smartwatch that relies on Bluetooth. However, the NSA warns that threats to mobile devices “are more prevalent and increasing in scope and complexity,” requiring some extra precautions.
