Smartphones hold more personal data than our laptops ever did. It stores your photos, banking information, contacts, location data, work account, banking apps, and private messages. With spyware and hacks on the rise, CISA’s mobile security tips provide simple and effective ways to lock things down without much hassle.

Making these quick changes can prevent serious problems such as data theft or unauthorized access to your accounts.

Table of Contents

• What’s the Real Threat to Your Phone?
• Enable Encrypted RCS Chats in Google Messages
• Use a Secure Private DNS
• Enable Enhanced Safe Browsing in the Browser
• Keep Google Play Protect Active
• Use Phones with Regular Security Updates
• Enable Lockdown Mode
• Enable iCloud Private Relay
• Disable SMS fallback in Messages
• Regularly review and restrict app permissions
• Other Recommended Security Practices for Everyone

What’s the Real Threat to Your Phone?

Spyware is no longer just for spies. In 2025, mobile attacks have become so rampant that they affect everyday users. These include attacks that install harmful software without you tapping anything. Sometimes, hackers may pretend to be your contacts or send urgent alerts like delivery notices or security warnings to gain access, which leads to listening in or data theft.

Incidents like this show why CISA (U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) had to update its mobile security tips now. These tips close common entry points before attackers can take advantage.

Also, understanding the differences between common threats like viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and malware makes it easier to spot these threats early.

Enable Encrypted RCS Chats in Google Messages

RCS messaging on Android offers end-to-end encryption for text conversations, eliminating the need to rely on traditional SMS, which can be intercepted by anyone with the right tools. CISA recommends this because stolen verification codes sent via SMS are a frequent way attackers take over accounts.

For most people, the benefit is safer everyday texting without worrying about someone reading your private messages. To turn it on, open Google Messages, tap profile picture -> Messages settings -> RCS chats, and turn on the toggle.

Use a Secure Private DNS

Using a secure Private DNS provider, such as Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1, and enabling HTTPS-only mode in Chrome encrypts your Internet searches and web traffic, making it much harder for others to see what you are doing, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.

CISA highlights this protection against attacks that listen in on insecure connections. The result is greater privacy and fewer chances of personal details being captured.

To set private DNS, go to Settings, search for private DNS, and choose a trusted provider.

Enable Enhanced Safe Browsing in the Browser

This feature alerts you to dangerous websites before you visit them. With phishing attempts increasing, this simple setting helps prevent accidental visits to sites designed to steal your login details.

You can activate it in Chrome by tapping the Menu -> Settings -> Privacy and security -> Safe Browsing, and choosing Enhanced protection. Also, you can turn on Always use secure connections.

Keep Google Play Protect Active

When enabled, it automatically checks apps for threats and warns you about risky ones. CISA stresses avoiding apps installed from outside the Play Store because those often contain hidden malware. Banking threats like the Godfather malware show why this protection is important.

This built-in scanner gives you added protection without extra apps. For peace of mind, you can run a manual scan occasionally through Play Store -> Profile -> Play Protect, and hit Scan.

Use Phones with Regular Security Updates

Choosing a phone that receives regular security updates for several years is another strong recommendation. CISA points this out because phones that stop getting updates become easier targets over time. Buying a phone with long-term support means fewer worries about new threats and less need to replace them often.

Following these security tips significantly lowers the chances of infection. Android already includes helpful Android security features, such as Play Protect and detailed permission controls that work well when enabled. For broader control, these general steps will help you adjust and protect privacy and security on Android.

Enable Lockdown Mode

This setting limits certain advanced functions of the iPhone that spyware commonly exploits, such as complicated web content or messages from unknown senders. You get a strong defense against hidden monitoring with only minor changes to how you normally use your phone.

While some features may be unavailable after you enable the mode, it’s a worthy price to pay for total protection. To turn it on, go to Settings -> Privacy & Security and select Lockdown Mode.

Enable iCloud Private Relay

Once active, it hides your IP address and protects DNS queries, which shield your browsing activities. This makes it harder for others to track you, especially on shared networks.

The payoff is that you browse anonymously without being targeted by ads and potential hacks. You can activate it in Settings -> Apple ID -> iCloud -> Private Relay, and turn it on.

Disable SMS fallback in Messages

When iMessage switches to SMS, messages lose encryption. To ensure full encryption at all times, turn this feature off in Settings ->Apps -> Messages, and turn off Send as SMS.

Regularly review and restrict app permissions

Many apps request access to the camera, microphone, or location when it’s not necessary. Limiting this access helps you reduce the potential for data leaks to advertisers or hackers and improves your privacy. To manage, go to the iOS security settings and adjust per app.

For me, pairing Lockdown Mode with tight permission management has improved my iPhone’s data privacy.

Other Recommended Security Practices for Everyone

You can try the following alongside the CISA mobile security tips for improved protection regardless of your phone’s OS.

• Use a password manager, such as the built-in ones from Apple or Google, to create and store strong, unique passwords while alerting you to breaches.
• Review linked devices and app permissions each week to remove unauthorized access.
• Switch to protection against fake sites, such as passkeys or hardware keys, instead of OTPs or SMS codes.
• Enable automatic updates to ensure constant security updates are applied as soon as they’re available.

I began using a password manager after dealing with a compromised account years ago. Since then, managing logins has become easier and far less stressful. Small habits like this prevent a long recovery process later.

Applying these newly updated CISA mobile security tips adds layers of protection without overdoing it. You gain big benefits, including fewer worries about tracking, hacking risks, and confidence that your phone stays under your control. Do not wait to be breached before you act.