**CERT-FR Issues Warning: Disable Wi-Fi When Not in Use to Reduce Cyber Risk**

The French Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-FR) has issued a stern warning to iPhone and Android users, advising them to completely disable their Wi-Fi connections whenever they are not in use. The recommendation comes as part of a broader effort to mitigate the growing threat of cyber attacks on mobile devices.

CERT-FR points out that smartphones have become prime targets for cyber intelligence due to their extensive vulnerabilities across wireless interfaces, apps, operating systems, and hardware. Weaknesses in protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and cellular networks allow data interception or spyware deployment, while sophisticated zero-click exploits can compromise devices without user action, leaving minimal traces.

The agency notes that state-sponsored actors and Private Sector Offensive Actors (PSOAs) exploit these flaws, increasing threats and complicating attribution. Mobile devices face a broad and growing attack surface from advanced offensive capabilities, making them vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, data interception, and spyware deployment.

A recent report by CERT-FR highlights the scope of the problem: "The ubiquity and systematic use of smartphones, along with the increasing number of features and data they handle, make them targets of interest for the acquisition of cyber intelligence." The report adds that mobile devices exhibit multiple vulnerabilities across multiple layers of device architecture, including wireless interfaces, applications, operating systems, and hardware components.

The CERT-FR report includes a set of recommendations to protect mobile devices from these threats. Key takeaways include:

* **Disable Wi-Fi when not in use**: Turning off Wi-Fi when not needed can significantly reduce the risk of cyber attacks. * **Avoid public networks**: Public or poorly configured networks can be exploited for man-in-the-middle attacks, data interception, and spyware deployment. * **Use a VPN when necessary**: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide an additional layer of security when using public Wi-Fi networks.

The CERT-FR warning underscores the growing importance of mobile device security in today's digital landscape. As smartphones become increasingly ubiquitous, it is essential to take proactive measures to protect against cyber threats.

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