A momentary screen flash or a call that drops before we can even accept it can be silent signs that our device is the target of sophisticated spyware. These attacks usually leave no visible traces, so users remain unaware that they have been compromised. Special attention should also be paid to unexpected logins to online accounts or notifications about access attempts from unknown devices, warns Branko Džakula, a cybersecurity expert, guest on "Boje jutra" on TV Vijesti.
According to him, the number of compromised devices is not negligible. He says he knows a large number of individuals whose devices have been infected with spyware. The most common targets are journalists, activists, politicians, but also employees of companies that are exposed to the risk of corporate espionage.
Džakula specifically points out that user errors play a key role in enabling such attacks. One of the basic and most important protection measures is regular updates of the operating system and applications.
"All of these vulnerabilities we're talking about are patched with each update. In addition to getting new functionality, updating prevents spyware from exploiting known weaknesses in older versions of applications," explains Džakula.
Another common mistake users make is using the same password for multiple services. Džakula recommends using built-in password managers that already exist in modern operating systems like iOS and Android, as well as in web browsers like Google Chrome.
"These managers can generate complex passwords that you don't have to remember - the application remembers them. It's important to remember just one master password that gives you access to everything else," he points out.
A surprisingly effective move, he says, can be as simple as restarting your phone once a week. Although it sounds banal, this action can stop or even completely remove certain types of spyware.
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