To protect the phone, it was advised to prohibit the display of SMS messages on the locked screen.

Banning text messages from the locked screen, disabling automatic password saving, and using a complex unlock code will help improve smartphone security. This is stated in the materials of the Russian Interior Ministry, which were reviewed by TASS on October 17.

The agency recommends setting an unlock password with a length of at least six characters, as it is more reliable than a graphic key. Experts also advise against auto-saving passwords in the browser and using a password manager, and hiding SMS notifications from the lock screen so that outsiders cannot see the confirmation codes.

In addition, the Interior Ministry called for setting up remote data blocking and deletion functions, and protecting access to important applications with biometrics. Experts called the need not to leave your smartphone unattended one of the basic rules.

The agency warned that having gained access to a stolen or hacked phone, fraudsters may try to log into banking applications, issue microloans through Gosuslugi, and steal accounts on social networks and messengers. Hackers are also able to gain access to marketplaces via email and discover passwords from crypto wallets stored in notes or gallery.

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Vladimir Vasenin, head of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in Moscow, warned on October 10 that fraudsters were sending messages on behalf of hacked accounts in messengers and social networks with requests to support an acquaintance in an online contest.

Attackers gain access to other people's accounts and access contacts on behalf of friends or relatives, offering to click on the link and vote for the contestant. The Ministry of Internal Affairs recommends contacting the sender by phone and personally clarifying whether he really asked for such support.