London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Aug 04, 2025

The rich are different, but their smartphones aren't

The rich are different, but their smartphones aren't

The world might be turning to technology to solve everything from traffic to dating, but no one app or gadget will save the rich and famous from falling prey to cyberattacks, according to digital security experts.

Tech giants spend millions of dollars every year to protect their top executives from all kinds of physical threats. Facebook allotted almost $20 million in 2018 for protecting CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his family at his residences and during travel. In 2017, Apple CEO Tim Cook started using private jets paid for by the company because of safety concerns.

But when a report concluded that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' phone was hacked, it shifted people's attention to how high-profile people protect their cybersecurity.

"There's no perfect tech control against cyberattacks," said Roger Grimes, a security expert at KnowBe4 who trains its customers to raise cybersecurity awareness. High profile individuals are more vulnerable because they have less time for training but are exposed to more attacks, he said.

The rich and famous also can't buy phones that are more secure than the average, said Mark Nunnikhoven, vice president of cloud research at software security firm Trend Micro.

"The level of technology has become so advanced for everyone that there's no special class of phones that only the elite have access to," he said.
Companies looking to protect their top brass have started paying more attention to digital security over the past two years.
Aamir Lakhani, a researcher at IT security firm Fortinet, said the focus has normally been on corporations' own network, which includes teaching executives how to spot fraud in work emails.

Some smartphones use software that spots and removes malware, as well as web filtering tools that prevent employees from accessing websites that could be harmful. But firms can do more.

"I don't think they're really taking it to the point that they're telling their execs that, 'Hey, these threats are on you all the time. You have to be aware,'" Lakhani said. "They're hoping some tech solutions will solve that, but it's not going to."

That's because attacks like the one Bezos' suffered "are designed specifically to get around the tech solutions," Lakhani said.

The Amazon founder's phone was hacked in May 2018 after receiving a WhatsApp message from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a video file, according to an analysis of the attack. Saudi Arabia has denied the accusations.

Smartphone users are conditioned to quickly reply to instant messages, which might lower their guard.

In 2018, Amazon spent $1.6 million on security for Bezos, according to filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. But the company did not disclose how much went toward digital safeguards.


Taking cover


"Are you an executive with billion-dollar business information on your phone? There might likely be an adversary willing to invest significantly to obtain it," said Rod Soto, a cybersecurity researcher.

That's why well-known individuals should take steps beyond the recommended security measures for the average Joe. All smartphone users should turn on automatic software updates, create strong passwords and have their devices lock after 30 seconds or a minute of being idle, among other actions, Nunnikhoven said. Backing up data to the cloud is also key.

On top of that, executives and celebrities should reset their phones every couple of months, he suggested.

"If anyone did compromise your phone, you're wiping their foothold and they're going to have to hack back in," Nunnikhoven said. "For a normal person that's kind of extreme, but for a high profile individual that threat factor is different."

Famous people should also avoid downloading newly-launched apps and be "hyper aware" of how much information they allow apps to access. Soto also suggested having a phone just for travel and not putting any personal information on it.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
×