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21-02-2025 03:06 PM - edited 21-02-2025 03:13 PM
I use a Samsung A51 device, I see funny things happen to my phone, such as documents being moved between folders, or even some of my own Web pages are moved and grouped with other pages. And on top of that I get nuisance calls and texts, even though I blocked them with the ad blocker and anti virus. Is the best option to change the device and buy a new samsung device? Can three help me with tthis query please?
on 24-02-2025 05:18 PM
The A52 is about to stop receiving security updates, so the A51 (which is a year older) will by now have been unsupported for at least 11 months.
on 21-02-2025 11:56 PM
On top of that, even though I have reported the scam numbers and funny scam messages to the National Cyber Security Agency, I keep on getting them from time to time. To add to that as well I have an annual subscription go the ICO, which should protect me against all nuisance calls, but I still get some nuisance calls! What is the solution Three moderators?
on 22-02-2025 10:36 AM
Hello, KhalidAli.
Welcome to the Three Community.
It's unclear if you'd need a new phone or not. If it still receives software updates and security patches, it's unlikely being on a new phone would improve the security of your device. I'm not sure the moving of documents or web pages is something that malicious code would attempt to do, it doesn't seem like it would achieve anything for an attacker.
Spam calls and texts can be a real pain, but add blockers and anti virus will have no impact on them. There's no service that will prevent all spam callers from being able to call you. Services such as the Telephone Preference Service aim to prevent legitimate businesses from contacting you, but as spam callers are generally not following rules or laws, they can choose to call whoever they like. The best thing to do is to reject all calls from numbers you don't recognise. Some phones offer intelligent spam call filtering where they will attempt to stop spam calls reaching you, but these are not perfect either.
I've generally never found a need for anti virus on a phone, and in some cases have seen apps that claim to be anti virus but are actually just malware themselves. Regardless though, anti virus won't ever stop scammers from calling.
I'm not sure which annual subscription service to the ICO you are referring to, but I'm not aware of any services they provide that protect phones from spam callers, or malicious computer code. Perhaps you can shed some light on that for me?
You'll find that advice around what is right when it comes to your device is going to vary from person to person. It's good that you're being vigilant, and hopefully some of the other community members will have additional advice that might be useful to you.
Pete.
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on 25-02-2025 10:04 AM
Hi Pete, thanks for your advice and help when you said "I'm not sure the moving of documents or web pages is something that malicious code would attempt to do, it doesn't seem like it would achieve anything for an attacker.". That's what I thought as well, what is the point of this. But If I tell you the two Web pages were two Web pages from the UN's human rights agency I once read and the attackers grouped them together. On top of that on Friday I read my quran through my phone app as I am muslim from chapter 18 hust like all muslims every Friday, and everything the hackers stop the app in verse 83! Just before verse 84. I am sure they are trying to say something as the verses of quran could be misinterpreted. So I asked myself, who has this power or is trying to imply something. Logically thinking I think I might have been wrongly profiled by people who look after the country's security. There is no other explanation, I am just Maths teacher at a local college, and I want a peace of mind. So just one final request, how can I stop the hackers from remotely controlling my phone, and shield it. Is there a software that tells you who they are or a software that removes it.
on 25-02-2025 11:52 AM
Hi @KhalidAli,
As your mobile provider, we can't give you recommendations on 3rd party products. If you're interested in mobile security apps, I'd recommend to check out the products supplied by the same reputable firms which provide these services for PCs and Laptops, you'll generally find they have equivalent apps for mobiles.
In terms of getting advice regarding cybersecurity, Action Fraud is the official body you'd report this to. They're a UK Police Service and you can find more info on how to reach them here: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/contact-us
Thanks,
Jonathan
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on 26-02-2025 08:14 PM
Thanks for your help.