Tips to protect yourself from cellphone hackers

Cellphones are getting smarter, but that also means they’re more vulnerable to hacks and attacks. Here are some tips to protect yourself.

-- Familiarize yourself with your phone’s security controls. These are often listed on the phone’s options or settings page. In general it’s recommended that you choose the most restrictive settings.

-- Read other users’ reviews and ratings of apps and buy only those you think you can trust.

-- Be suspicious if an app asks for access to data that doesn’t seem appropriate for its function. An app for a tick-tack-toe game should not be asking for permission to access to your e-mails.

-- Be wary of odd text messages or e-mails asking you to click on unfamiliar links even if they appear to be from friends.

-- David Sarno