Our hand-held devices, smartphones, are not only devices providing us the medium to communicate, but they are also our wallets, photo albums, workplaces, and diaries. As convenient as these devices are, they also can harm personal privacy and our essential data.
A hacked phone means your identity and money can be stolen, and even your life can be in danger. How do you prevent this mishap or loss of your phone or unauthorized access to your numbers and other personal records?
Here are some real-life tips to protect your smart mobile device.
1. Keep Your Phone Updated:
The first and most effective security method that any user can employ is to ensure that the phone’s software is updated. A system update may be in the form of a patch containing a fix for a security issue. This is a crucial step in staying ahead of potential threats, empowering you to take control of your device’s security.
Tip: You should always allow updates for your operating system and apps so that you are always guarded.
2. Use solid passwords and augment them with biometrics:
Biometrics-coupled passwords are the best passwords to use. Always create heavily protected passwords that combine letters, numbers, and special characters. Even better, fingerprint or facial recognition can be allowed for another level of security for the account.
Tip: Do not use personal identification numbers such as birth dates, number sequences, or words like “password.”
3. Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi:
The allure of public Wi-Fi is that it doesn’t cost a dime, which can be very attractive. However, it’s important to remember that it provides a fertile ground for cybercriminals. The criminals in the network world usually create fake networks to capture your information. This should make you more cautious and vigilant when using public Wi-Fi.
Tip: Keep your wireless connections secure using a VPN when you access public Wi-Fi.
4. Download Apps from Trusted Sources:
Viruses can be disguised as games, applications, and even system elements on your phone. As you will see, these apps might be spying on you, stealing your information, or even taking over your phone. Recommendations include avoiding downloading from third-party sites and checking reviews and permissions before installing.
Tip: Do not install apps from other sources besides the Google Play Store and the Apple Store except on rare occasions.
5. Limit App Permissions:
Almost every app that lets you interact with it requires you to grant permission to access your location, camera, microphone, and contacts. While some permissions are needed for performance, others are very invasive.
Tip: Open your app list to check and decline unwanted accesses for applications already on your mobile device in the settings menu.
6. Beware of Phishing Attacks:
As much as phishing is related to emails, people also fall for it on their phones. Scammers using a text message or fake application notification can deceive you into inputting your data. Scammers like hiding behind business identities to deceive you.
Tip: Only open links or give personal data if you know who is behind them or if nothing suspicious will happen.
7. Download and install Antivirus and Security Apps:
An antivirus app will create an extra layer of security for your device against malware and other inferior entities. The current security applications also have call blocking, secure browsing, and real-time threat detection.
Tip: Get good security software and update it to the latest version.
8. Back up Your Data:
Despite all the efforts to keep your information safe, sometimes it disappears because of theft, hacking, or hardware malfunction. To ensure that you can always get your important files back, it is advisable to back up your phone often.
Tip: Use cloud storage or external drives for automatic and manual backups.
Conclusion: Stay Proactive, Stay Protected:
Your phone is a treasure trove of personal data, making it a prime target for cybercriminals. By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability and ensure your mobile device remains a safe space for your personal information. Remember, staying safe is not about being paranoid but being prepared. After all, in the digital age, a secure phone equals peace of mind.
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Swathi
Author
Working IT professional and a Cyber Security enthusiast. Passionate to write about Cyber Security topics and Solutions. I share my insights as I study articles and trending topics in the field of Cyber Security.
