Alabanese Warns to “Turn Your Phone Off” Amidst Hacker Scams

In a recent announcement, Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, issued a strong warning to the public, emphasising the need to “turn their phones off” as a proactive step in safeguarding against hackers.

During the unveiling of Australia’s inaugural national cybersecurity coordinator, Royal Australian Air Force Air Commander Australia Darren Goldie, Mr. Albanese highlighted the importance of mobilising both the private sector and consumers in the fight against cyber threats.

“We all have a responsibility,” stated Mr. Albanese to reporters. “Simple actions like turning off your phone every night for five minutes can make a significant difference. I encourage everyone watching this to adopt this practice at least once every 24 hours, perhaps while performing routine tasks like brushing your teeth.”

While it may seem like a basic measure, a daily reboot can play a vital role in thwarting cybercriminals. Often, various applications and processes continue to run in the background of devices, even when not actively used.

In the event of unauthorised access to these running apps and processes, cyber attackers can monitor activities, collect sensitive data (including financial information and identification documents), or even gain control over webcams or phone cameras.

By rebooting a phone, all background applications and processes are forcibly closed, effectively denying any virtual intruders access to personal information and limiting their ability to track movements.

It is important to note that this measure does not provide complete protection against all types of cybercrime. In cases where passwords have been compromised or individuals are being persistently and strategically targeted, the efficacy of this method may be limited. However, adopting this simple practice can be a valuable step towards enhancing personal cybersecurity and privacy.