• NTRA warns of global smartphone hacking targeting users in over 150 countries, including Egypt, exploiting previously unknown vulnerabilities.
• Keeping phones and apps updated, enabling automatic updates, and activating advanced security features are key defenses against attacks.
• Users should exercise caution with links, use secure browsers, ad blockers, and enable two-factor authentication for important accounts.

NTRA

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA), represented by the Egyptian Computer Emergency Readiness Center (EG-CERT), has issued a statement to alert the public. This follows announcements from Google and Apple about advanced hacking attempts targeting smartphone users in over 150 countries worldwide, including Egypt.  Preliminary reports indicate these attacks exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities. This involves sending malicious links and messages that may appear to come from trusted sources.

The NTRA urges citizens to secure their mobile phones. It indicates that keeping phones and apps updated is the first line of defense against any hacking attempts. This is because each new update typically includes fixes for vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit. Therefore, the authority recommends enabling automatic updates whenever possible.

Security Settings

The NTRA also advises users to activate advanced security settings available on their devices. This includes settings such as Lockdown Mode on iPhones and advanced protection options on Android devices. These settings help increase security and reduce the risk of spyware targeting the phone.

The authority further emphasizes caution when dealing with links, messages, or attachments, especially those from unknown or unusual sources. This is even if they appear to be from well-known companies or organizations. 

To further enhance protection, the NTRA advises users to use secure browsers and ad-blocking tools. This can help prevent exposure to malicious ads containing harmful codes. It also recommends enabling additional verification (two-factor authentication) when logging into important accounts, such as email or social media accounts. This is to ensure that no one can access them even if the password is compromised.