iPhone and Android owners should never make common ‘color’ mistakes when signing up for apps or risk hacking

SECURITY issues have become part of everyday account creation to maintain the privacy of your private content.

These questions add an extra layer of security along with your login credentials – and opt for a common color as your answer may not be enough.

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To follow best practices for security questions, use a variety of questions across different accounts, avoid creating your own questions, use multiple security questions, and update questions and answers regularly, e.g. Guardian Security.

First, you want to ensure that the answer to your security response is confidential and not easily guessed by others.

Avoid using information that someone can easily find through your digital footprint, such as your date of birth or address.

You should be able to remember the answer without writing it down.

It should come to mind easily regardless of how long it’s been since you logged in.

For example, the first concert you attended or the first country you visited are good options, as long as this information is not accessible through your social networks.

The answer must be a fact that does not change over time, such as the name of the city where your parents met.

You should also avoid broad answers that can be easily guessed.

Instead, choose specific details, like your first pet’s name, rather than just the type of pet.

Your response should not be easily predictable or obtained through public information.

Also avoid using common details like your favorite color or food.

Using a password manager can help you manage your security questions and answers as it can store them securely and make them easily retrievable from any device.

DO’S AND DON’TS

Here are some examples of the best security questions to use to protect your accounts, according to Keeper Security:

• What is the name of your favorite childhood character?
• In which city did your parents meet?
• What is the name of your first childhood pet?
• What is your older cousin’s middle name?

All these questions have one thing in common: only you would know the answer to them.

In the meantime, here are some of the worst security questions you can use in an attempt to protect your accounts:

• In which city were you born?
• What high school did you attend?
• What’s your favorite color?
• What is your mother’s maiden name?

The problem with these questions is that even if the answers are not particularly known, they can be found and surmised by analyzing social media posts and other public records.

KEEP YOUR ACCOUNTS SECURE

To ensure your security questions effectively protect your accounts, follow these best practices:

1. Use different security questions for different accounts
2. Avoid self-written questions
3. Use multiple security questions
4. Update your security questions regularly

Phone scam statistics

Americans are bombarded with three billion spam calls per month. What are the numbers regarding the number of victims and the amount of money lost to fraudsters

• In 2022, Americans lost an estimated $39.5 billion to phone fraud, with 68.4 million US citizens affected, according to TechReport.
• The average phone scam victim lost $567.41 each in 2021, a huge increase from the figure of $182 per victim in 2021, according to Hiya.
• Most scams happen over the phone, with fraudsters twice as likely to call compared to text in 2021, as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports.
• In 2021, the US saw a 56% increase in spam phone calls, with 60% of those robocalls.
• US residents receive an average of 18 spam phone calls per month, although some experts believe the real number could be as high as 31 per month.
• Many phone calls from reputable companies can be mistakenly marked as spam, but 38% of companies have no idea whether they are being marked as “potential fraud” or not, according to Hiya.
• Never provide personal or financial information if you suspect a phone call is a scam. For example, your bank will never ask for these full details over the phone.
• To reduce spam calls and scams, sign up for the Do Not Call Registry. Telemarketers, by law, will need to check this list before calling you.
• Downloading third-party apps like Hiya, Nomorobo or Truecaller can help filter annoying spam calls.
• Try not to share your phone number unless necessary, especially online or with sketchy sources.