iPhone and Android owners must never to make common ‘color’ mistake when signing up to apps or risk hacker break-in

SECURITY questions have become a part of daily account creation in order to keep your private content private.

These questions add an extra layer of security alongside your login credentials - and going for a common color as your answer might not cut it.

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To follow best practices for security questions, use a variety of questions across different accounts, avoid crafting your own questions, employ multiple security questions, and update both the questions and answers regularly, per .

You'll first want to ensure the answer to your security answer is confidential and not easily guessed by others.

Avoid using information that someone can easily find through your digital footprint, like your birthdate or street address.

You should be able to recall the answer without writing it down.

It should come to mind easily, regardless of how long it’s been since you logged in.

For example, the first concert you attended or the first country you visited are good options provided this information isn’t accessible through your social media.

The answer should be a fact that doesn’t change over time, such as the name of the city where your parents met.

You should also avoid broad answers that could be easily guessed.

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Instead, choose specific details, like the name of your first pet rather than just the type of pet.

Your answer should not be easily predictable or obtainable through public information.

Also avoid using common details like your favorite color or food.

Using a password manager can help you manage your security questions and answers, as it can store them securely and make them easily retrievable from any device.

DO'S AND DON'T'S

Here are some examples of the best security questions to use to protect your accounts, per Keeper Security:

• What is the name of your favorite childhood character?
• In which city did your parents meet?
• What is the name of your first childhood pet?
• What is the middle name of your oldest cousin?

These questions all have one thing in common: only you would know the answer to them.

Meanwhile, here are some of the worst security questions you can use in an attempt to protect your accounts:

• What city were you born in?
• What high school did you attend?
• What is your favorite color?
• What is your mother’s maiden name?

The issue with these questions is that even if the answers aren't particularly known, they can be found and surmised by looking into social media posts and other public records.

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KEEP YOUR ACCOUNTS SAFE

To ensure your security questions effectively protect your accounts, follow these best practices:

1. Use different security questions for different accounts
2. Avoid self-written questions
3. Use multiple security questions
4. Update your security questions regularly

Phone scam statistics

Americans are bombarded with three billion spam phone calls a month. What are the figures regarding the number of victims and the amount of money lost to fraudsters

• In 2022, Americans lost some $39.5 billion to phone scams, with 68.4 million US citizens affected, according to TechReport.
• The average phone scam victim lost $567.41 each in 2021, a major rise on the 2021 figure of $182 per victim, according to Hiya.
• The majority of scams happen over the phone, with fraudsters twice as likely to call compared to text in 2021, as reports the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• In 2021, the US saw a 56% increase in spam phone calls with 60% of those being robocalls.
• US residents experienced an average of 18 spam phone calls per month, although some experts believe the true figure may be as high as 31 per month.
• Many phone calls from reputable businesses may be marked wrongly as spam, but 38% of companies have no idea whether they’re being marked as “potential fraud” or not, according to Hiya.
• Never hand over any personal or financial information if you suspect a phone call is a scam. For instance, your bank will never ask you for such details in full over the phone. 
• To cut down on spam phone calls and scams, sign up for the Do Not Call Registry. Telemarketers, by law, will need to check that list before they call you up.
• Downloading third-party apps such as Hiya, Nomorobo, or Truecaller can help filter out annoying spam calls.
• Try not to share your phone number unless you have to, especially online or with sketchy sources.