An essential security measure

In a world of increasing concern about digital surveillance, this simple weekly action presents itself as a vital “preventive switch off.”

03/12/2025 – 10:03 am

A gesture as simple as turning your phone off and on Cellular It can protect you from cyber attacks. The US National Security Agency (NSA) recommends rebooting your cell phone at least once a week as a basic measure to prevent certain threats.

Many sophisticated attacks, such as the well-knownZero click“, can infiltrate your device without you taking any action, simply by turning on the cell phone and plugging it in. These silent exploits, often used by spyware like Pegasus, take advantage of system vulnerabilities to install and run in the background.

Restarting the cell phone interrupts these harmful processes, eliminating the problem Temporary access to active memory It forces attackers to resume their work, making it difficult to continue.

Beyond Reboot: A Comprehensive Security Strategy

Although rebooting is a simple and effective procedure, the NSA includes it among a set of mobile security best practices, including:

• Keep software updated: New releases usually fix security flaws.
• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use: This prevents unauthorized access.
• Avoid suspicious links and pop-ups: No matter how legitimate it may seem.
• Use strong passwords and two-step authentication (2FA): Long and unique PINs, to avoid unlock patterns.
• For high-risk users (Activists, journalists, public officials), it is recommended to cover the camera, avoid public USB ports, and use signal blocking covers.

how often? Weekly or daily

Although the NSA suggests a weekly reset, some experts and public figures, such as the Australian Prime Minister Anthony AlbaneseWe recommend doing this daily (five minutes a day) to reduce exposure to potential attacks. The logic is clear: the more frequently you reboot, the less chance an attacker has of maintaining an active connection or running a spy app on your cell phone.

How to properly restart your cell phone

• iPhone (iOS): Press and hold the side button and the volume button until the “Power off” option appears. Wait at least 30 seconds before turning it on again.
• Android: Press and hold the power button and select “Power off”. Wait half a minute before turning it on again.

In a world of increasing concern about digital surveillance, this simple weekly action is presented as “Preventive shutdown“It is vital to protect our mobile phones, which are an extension of our personal and professional lives.