IT and cybersecurity experts have warned of the significant risks associated with buying used smartphones or obtaining them from unknown sources, noting that some of these devices may be pre-loaded with malicious software designed to hack individuals' personal and financial data and track their activities continuously. They told "Emirates Today" that there are incorrect practices followed by some individuals, such as buying smartphones during their travels to some Asian countries, especially counterfeit or unknown-source phones, which exposes them to hacking risks and poses a direct threat to their privacy and financial security. They stressed the necessity of taking precautionary measures before using such phones, foremost among them verifying a factory reset and installing trusted cybersecurity protection programs.
In detail, technology expert Dr. Mohamed Al-Feki stated that many individuals fall into common mistakes, such as buying used phones and using them directly without taking any precautionary measures, which makes them vulnerable to having their personal or financial data hacked. He added that some individuals, while traveling abroad, especially to some Asian countries, opt to buy unknown-source smartphones at low prices, whether they are counterfeit or from unknown brands, which could expose them to electronic hacking through these devices. Al-Feki explained that the risks associated with using these phones lie in their potential to be used as backdoors to steal individuals' data through pre-installed malicious applications, noting that the user might not notice any direct hacking upon initial use, as hackers employ a gradual surveillance method for data and accounts, which could include personal photos and videos. Al-Feki pointed out that many users of used phones assume that sellers have removed the malicious software from the devices, prompting them to use them immediately without any protective steps, emphasizing the importance of taking precautions like a factory reset, updating operating systems and applications, and installing trusted cybersecurity and privacy protection programs, while avoiding buying unknown-source or counterfeit phones when traveling abroad.
In turn, digital security expert and Chief Security Consultant at international cybersecurity company Kaspersky, Emad Al-Hafar, stated that there is a spread of incorrect practices that could lead to the hacking of individuals' personal and financial data through buying used phones, phones of unknown origin, or from unknown brands. He added that these phones may be pre-loaded with hidden malicious software that may not be detected immediately but shows its effects later when using specialized cybersecurity programs. Al-Hafar clarified that this software acts as a gateway for data hacking and tracking individuals' activities and could redirect them to phishing sites to steal their personal information and login credentials, noting that the spread of these practices requires more caution when using used phones, especially as hackers rely on users operating the devices directly without any precautions, monitoring data and gradually exploiting vulnerabilities to steal financial or personal information. Al-Hafar stressed the importance of taking precautionary measures when dealing with used phones, starting with a factory reset before use, installing specialized cybersecurity and privacy protection programs, and enabling two-factor authentication for phone-linked accounts and applications.
In her turn, technology expert Jessie Kilmer stated that the widespread adoption of smartphones has made them a favorite tool for cybercriminals, who exploit vulnerabilities in unknown-source phones, whether counterfeit or from unknown brands, especially when purchasing from foreign markets during travels. She confirmed the need for caution by using privacy protection programs that detect malicious software and activating precautionary measures for passwords and two-factor authentication for applications, while being careful to buy phones only from official and authorized stores.
