Do you access your mobile phone inside the MRT, LRT, Bus or even inside the elevator? If yes, then you might be vulnerable to visual hacking. It is the easiest and most low-tech form of information theft. It can be done by attackers by simply getting near you, and steal a glance at your screen.
WHAT IT MEANS
As per Quora, “visual hacking” can be defined as the act of capturing or viewing confidential, sensitive, or private information for unauthorized use.
This is a very common thing, especially in crowded, public places. Let’s be honest, we’ve all been in the situation where we’ve done a quick glance at someone’s screen, then realized we might have seen something we weren’t meant to see: from simply shopping online, browsing social media content, and etc.
Fortunately, visual hacking can be prevented with smart use of phone, and by using products that protect your on-screen information from prying eyes.
PROTECTING YOUR SENSITIVE INFORMATION
Tip #1: Assess Your Surroundings
If you’re currently in a crowded area, like the MRT, mall, or waiting in-line to order food in a fast-food chain, think first if this is a ‘good place’ to access sensitive information.
Tip #2: Passwords and Security Patterns
Powering up your phone with a single swipe is indeed convenient, but this also puts your sensitive data at risk. Consider using passwords and patterns, so that not everyone can freely access the data saved on your phone.
Tip #3: Privacy Filters
Applying privacy filters will help you be more comfortable accessing your phone in public places. It is affordable, and can also be applied to laptops, tablets, and desktop monitors. Following 3M’s campaign of #WeHaveYouCovered – it gives people assurance that their on-screen data will be protected.
OUR THOUGHTS
Visual hacking can be a big threat once the stolen data is used without consent or for evil purposes. Investing in privacy filters will surely help, but it still begins on smart use of phone and being aware of the surroundings.
Know more about privacy filters:
http://touchstreamdigital.com/marketing/3m-privacy-filter/