Virtual Phone Number for Privacy
Over the past decade, many day-to-day tasks have migrated to websites and apps. There is an app for almost anything, from finding parking to online dating. Most apps require an actual phone number to activate, which means your personal phone number can be used for anywhere between 8 and 20 apps on your cell phone. Ultimately, this calls into question how this compromises your privacy.
One of the most straightforward solutions to managing mobile apps without using your private number is to opt for a virtual phone service. Sometimes called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), virtual phone services allow users to make and receive calls and messages on various devices through an internet connection.
SLYFONE gives you access to real phone numbers that you can use to activate apps, sign up for subscriptions, and manage all the ins and outs of your online life. Plus, SLYFONE operates just like a mobile number or landline, so you can make calls, send SMS text messages, and more. SLYFONE’s app is available for iOS and Android devices.
Why Should You Use a Virtual Number for Privacy?
Having a virtual phone number app provides an extra level of security for all of your online activity. While it can be challenging to change or eliminate a number with your mobile service carrier, it is much simpler to delete a virtual number in cases where your security is at risk as you navigate online tasks.
With a virtual number, mitigating the risks of scam calls, phishing, or unwanted phone calls is much easier. For example, suppose you plan to sign up for a dating or social media app requiring an actual number. In that case, you can use a virtual phone number to communicate instead of risking strangers calling your number or using it to hack into other sensitive accounts. Setting up a virtual number is very simple, and you can even use more than one virtual number to manage your online accounts and ensure your personal life is protected.
Another factor to consider is that virtual phone number service providers offer anonymity as you don’t have to use local area codes for your number; plus, most virtual numbers have built-in security features like transport layer security (TLS) and secure real-time transport protocol (SRTP). As a cloud-based technology, it is much more difficult for hackers to use a virtual number to mine data or use it to find more personal information about you.
What Are the Risks of Using a Personal Number for Everything?
When dealing with mobile services carriers and SIM cards, knowing what scammers and hackers do with personal numbers to access sensitive information and data and why using your number puts you at risk for scams is essential.
SIM Swapping
With SIM swapping, the scammer calls your service provider, uses known information to convince them that they are you, and proceeds to transfer your mobile data onto a new device and access information, personal data, and apps on your phone. Once the scammer has transferred data to a new device, they can make and receive phone calls and messages and use them for things like two-factor authentication (2FA) and account verification.
Account Hacking
These days, banking has primarily transitioned to using online services like mobile apps to manage your bank accounts and finances. A phone number is one of the most common authentication keys for mobile banking access. If a user can collect enough information, they could use your number to reset the credentials on your account and gain access to your finances.
Spoofing
Scammers can use software to display their numbers on recipients’ caller IDs to appear as legitimate organizations or businesses. They then convince people to give them sensitive information like a social security number or password and make other kinds of spam calls with their numbers.
What Are Other Ways Virtual Numbers Protect Privacy?
Using a virtual phone number can protect your privacy as far as security is concerned, but there are other ways that virtual numbers create an extra barrier between you and the rest of the world:
Separate Business and Personal Life
Suppose you use a phone frequently for your business and work remotely. In that case, it can be difficult to manage personal time when notifications constantly alert you and keep your mind on work after business hours. Using a virtual phone number as your business number allows you to disconnect during non-business hours and return refreshed and ready to be more productive the next day. Plus, you can choose a number with a specific area code to establish a local presence and add more legitimacy to your business calls.
Maintain Flexible Communication
Opting for a virtual phone number provider for business, banking, and other online activities will allow you much more flexibility as you make and receive calls and text messages on any device. Whether working on your laptop in a coffee shop or using a mobile phone in an airport, you can do all the tasks you need to do without switching devices. Not only does this allow for flexible communication, but it protects your location data from prying eyes since a virtual number is not dependent on networks to make and receive calls or messages.
Create Stronger Social Boundaries
When activating social media accounts or signing up for online dating, you must often tie your accounts to a phone number. Using a virtual number attached to your accounts that does not compromise your location data and other personal information provides an extra layer of protection against scammers and hackers looking for ways to access personal and financial information.
Why Should You Choose SLYFONE?
What sets SLYFONE above other virtual phone services is that they offer real numbers capable of activating and verifying accounts and apps.
SLYFONE’s app allows you to create custom voicemail greetings easily, manage call routing and forwarding, make international calls, and much more with just a few clicks. Download the app, select from the available pricing plans starting at $14.99 monthly for three months, and start making calls.Among SLYFONE’s other unique features is the ability to choose what purpose you are using your number for: business, personal, dating, or travel.
SLYFONE also offers robust customer support for any technical difficulties or questions.
