It is impossible to predict the breakdown of a smartphone. To prevent an unscrupulous repairer from using your personal data or sensitive files, you should know some rules that will protect the person who contacted the service center. How not to become a victim of blackmail, cybercrime and simply not lose your accounts and money from your bank account - in the material "Gazeta.Ru".

A question of trust

Handing over a broken smartphone to a service center for repair can turn into a stressful situation for many users due to the impossibility or ignorance of ways to remove confidential information from the gadget.

Smartphone manufacturers do not provide for a special mode in which the wizard could check all its functionality without unlocking the device. When the gadget is returned for repair, the wizard will ask the user for a password to make sure that all problems have been fixed.

No one is safe from unscrupulous craftsmen, so passing a smartphone password to strangers means that an attacker can get hold of confidential information, including accounts on social networks and even in a bank. To protect yourself from possible negative scenarios, you need to prepare before handing over your personal gadget to a service center.

How to keep your data safe

Since a smartphone breakdown can take the user by surprise, you should make a backup at least once a month and store your personal data on your computer or in the cloud. Thus, in the event of a minor breakdown, for example, if the screen is cracked, speakers or cameras stop working, you can reset the device to factory settings yourself without fear of losing valuable information.

If your smartphone is seriously damaged and won't turn on, you won't be able to perform a factory reset. You can agree to this procedure after the repair, without telling the master the password. Without a password, he will not be able to unlock the gadget and, therefore, gain access to confidential information.

It is often possible to block social networks, gallery, file manager and banking applications using the solutions built into the system. This is possible using the "Security" application, which is available in Xiaomi smartphones or "Secure Folder" in Samsung, etc.

However, this protection method applies exclusively to applications, that is, it will not protect files and photos when the smartphone is connected to a computer via USB.

If your smartphone has the ability to insert a MicroSD card, it is recommended that you store all important information and files on it. So, in the event of an unexpected breakdown of the smartphone, the user just needs to take out the card and tell the password to the master - all important applications will be blocked, and the files will be in the hands of the owner of the device.

It is recommended to have a guest profile as a rainy day solution. If you create a second profile, then all files, data and applications will be separated from each other even if the gadget is connected to a computer via USB. Thus, all confidential data of the main space will remain safe, and the wizard will be able to check the health of the smartphone. The owner of the gadget can only provide the service center with the password exclusively from the guest profile.

It is also important to remove the SIM card when handing over the smartphone to the service center. Without taking it, the owner runs the risk of losing not only his money in the bank account, but also access to all accounts linked to the number in the network.

In any case, there is no way to protect yourself from unexpected breakdowns of your smartphone and other gadgets, so the only safe and sure way is backup, which should become a habit.

It is also worth remembering that the user is not obliged to provide their passwords to the service center employee.

The wizard can always check most of the functions even on a locked device. For example, a display for image display and touch sensing, power and volume buttons, start the camera, shoot and even watch video to test various lenses, microphones and speakers. With the smartphone turned off, you can also check the functionality of the charging connector or headphones, if any - this is more than enough for an initial inspection.

If the master insists that he needs a password, he should either refuse the service or be present during the repair process.

bbabo.Net