Since 2020, the United States National Security Agency (NSA) has emphasized the importance of turning mobile devices off and on regularly. Although this practice may seem insignificant, its impact on protecting against cyber threats is significant.
The main objective of this habit is to mitigate the risk of infections by non-persistent malware, also known as fileless malwarea type of malicious software that operates exclusively in the device’s RAM without leaving traces on the internal storage.
He no persistent malware uses advanced techniques, such as the “living off the land” (LOTL) method, to use built-in operating system tools instead of installing additional files. When you restart the cell phone, the RAM memory it is emptied, removing any suspicious programs running on it. This makes it difficult for this type of malware to operate, although it does not eliminate it completely.
In addition to reinforcing the digital securityrestarting the device has important benefits for its overall functioning. During daily use, applications and processes that remain active in the background accumulate data on the temporary memory, which can slow down the performance of the operating system.
Power cycling the device allows the operating system to reboot, freeing up resources and ensuring more efficient performance.
This habit also helps prevent problems such as overheating and battery wear. Many times, open applications consume energy unnecessarily, affecting the autonomy of the device. Upon restart, these apps close properly, which optimizes battery usage and can extend battery life.
Although restarting the phone does not guarantee a absolute protectionit does act as a momentary barrier against possible attacks. According to himand NSA, This process provides a window of opportunity for the operating system’s security mechanisms to identify and block suspicious activity.
Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at the firm ESETcomplements this recommendation by pointing out the importance of keeping the software updated. “Regular updates ensure that operating systems have the necessary patches to protect against recent vulnerabilities,” he says.
In this sense, the weekly reset can be combined with other preventive measures to maximize the security of the device.
Restarting your phone is just one of the recommended strategies to ensure digital security. The NSA and other experts suggest adopting complementary practices, including:
- Update the operating system– On both Android and iOS devices, updates provide essential security patches to prevent cyber attacks.
- Use strong passwords: Opting for unique and robust combinations, along with biometric authentication methods, reinforces the protection of personal data.
- Avoid suspicious links– Do not access links or download attachments from unknown senders.
- Avoid modifications to the system– Practices such as rooting or jailbreaking expose devices to additional risks by removing pre-established security barriers.
- Secure applications: Download apps from official stores, such as Google Play Store and App Store, to avoid external websites from which malware is included in the files.
- Stay informed: Different types of cyberattacks continually emerge that change recent standards and it is essential to be informed to know how to act and communicate the situation to family and friends.
