Mobile security is one of the most underrated issues in the world now. Keeping your smartphone is actually really important. There are so many reasons why you should do this. Imagine the pain you’d feel when your phone is lost or stolen and you keep data in it. When you don’t back them up, it’s lost forever. Or your personal information gets hacked from internet pages you have visited or even from the phone itself. We have put together a list of tips that can help keep your device as safe as possible.
Mobile Security: Use screen locks
Nowadays, a lot of new phones offer a personalized shape or pattern that is drawn on the screen to grant access. This shape called a ”pattern lock.” Others are fingerprints and codes. For the pattern lock, it’s important to clean your screen regularly. If your phone gets stolen or lost, finger traces can sometimes be seen and used to unlock the screen. For codes/passwords, make sure it’s difficult to crack. Also, ensure it is something you can remember. We suggest that you create a secure password with initial letters of your favorite things.
In the instance of stolen or lost phones, you can use remote tracking. On Androids, it is called ”Find my Device” while iPhone users have a ”Find my iPhone.” This way, you can disable your phone remotely if there is the need to.
Mobile Security: Protect Sensitive Data
Even though passwords and Pins are helpful, a smartphone is a smaller version of a computer with sometimes, easily removable storage. It’s very easy to retrieve data simply by plugging it into a computer or removing the memory card.
This is why you must protect your sensitive date well. There is currently software available that can help encrypt files or folders. After encryption, it will request a code before a file can be viewed or copied. What’s best is that most of this software are free to download and easy to use. They can work efficiently with your phone to provide automated protection. This way, you have less stress when it’s functioning. Try to do your own personal research to find out which one is most suited for your device. Also, ensure that your back up your data.
Mobile Security: Protect Bluetooth usage
Technically, Bluetooth has a relatively short range (approx 10 meters) so, it is not considered as a risk. However, it is common for hackers to remotely access a phone if they are in range. Make sure you always turn off your Bluetooth when it is not in use. Another alternative will be to set your configuration to ”non-discoverable” so that people who are searching for nearby devices would be unable to see yours.
Sometimes, you will also get requests. The request will pop up with a ”pair with a device.” Decline this immediately as a hacker close by can make use of your Bluetooth if it is not protected.
Mobile Security: SIM card locks
Even after you have set up a screen lock, anyone can easily remove your SIM card and use it on another phone. Thus, you’re at risk of them getting access to all of your contacts. To avoid this, set up a SIM card lock in the form of a PIN number. This way, when the phone is turned on, it will have to request for the PIN before it can connect to a network.
Mobile Security: Switch off geotagging
Nowadays smartphone social networking apps automatically upload photos to the internet. The real issue with this is that many phones embed location tags which is also referred to as geotags. The geotags are automatically embedded into the photo files themselves. Thus, anyone with the right software can look at your Facebook or Instagram pictures and find out where you are or where you have been. Turning off your geotagging features give you privacy and saves you from prying eyes.
Mobile Security: Wireless protection
If your device can send data across the airwaves, then you should be concerned about security. Technically all internet-enabled phone have hotspots that can be shared. Turn off your wireless connection when it’s not in use. This way, you can be safe from people who want to connect without your permission. It’s important to also check your phone’s network security settings. It is possible it may have configured to automatically connect to a network when in range without you knowing.
Make sure to put a password on your home accessed wireless router. If you turn on your hotspot or wifi, be careful of connections that look legitimate.
Mobile Security: Install antivirus
Smartphone capabilities are as close to the ones of a PC. Also, smartphones face similar threats as the PC. However, most smartphone users have no form of protection compared to their PCs. Sadly, spam that contains malware links or attachment to attack sites along with infected apps that exploit weaknesses in the OS is all beginning to exist.
Now, a lot of antivirus companies offer free versions of their commercial mobile products. They also offer protection for multiple PCs and a phone for a yearly subscription. It’s important to always use trusted sources. This is simply because there are fake antiviruses now. They are designed to infect your device or make you think it is protected but it’s not.
Mobile Security: Security for App Downloads
Always be careful about the kind of apps you are downloading. Now, there is an increase in malware on smartphones. Try to pay attention to the requirements that any software requires when you install. We understand that you’re excited about downloading that app. However, you need to be extra careful especially if the app isn’t well known. Try to be cautious of any demands to access various features of your phone by such applications.
Mobile Security: Remote wipe
In the instance of unforeseen circumstances, this is when the remote wipe is needed. For instance, your phone gets lost or stolen. You may want to protect your data by wiping it off quickly and remotely.
A lot of operating systems have a wide range of third-party remote wipe applications to choose from. On most occasions, they tend to be subscription services. Make sure to get the right one to help you wipe off data as soon as possible. Usually, iPhones has these capabilities and you may not have to pay to have your data wiped.
Mobile Security: Internet browsing
Nowadays, accessing a web browser on your smartphone can be a big risk. You may mistakenly accept a pop-up that may be harmful to your device. For instance, accepting to save user details and passwords can be very risky. It means if anyone has access to your phone, they can use it too.
Look out for security warnings. If it exists, leave the website. In the case of banking and shopping sits, make sure there is a padlock in the address bar. This shows that the site is encrypted. Also, check out the URL and ensure the ”http” has an ”s” at the end. It shows you that the URL you’re about to click on is secure.
