Technology is advancing at a fast pace and even though it provides us with many useful solutions, it also makes us target for cyber-attacks if we don’t have the right security.
Since smartphones are one of the devices that we use the most throughout our day, it is easy to fall for a scam that will leave you venerable to viruses that can cause more problems for you. We’ve seen many examples from the past where people’s personal information is leaked, or even used in criminal activity against the victim.
The point is, we have to do everything in our power to improve the security on our phones, and in this article, we will go through some of the simple ways you can do that.
1. Lock your phone
Your first protection if your device is lost or stolen is your password. Face ID, Code, Fingerprint, Pattern, or any other type of protection can prevent thief access to your personal information.
So, the first thing you need to do is enable phone locking and choose the shortest amount of time possible. This might seem like a basic way of protecting your phone, but you’ll be surprised at how many people avoid this option.
Of course, a phone lock doesn’t mean that your smartphone is inaccessible, just because some of the more experienced hackers and thieves can bypass the locking process. However, it is an extra layer of security that you must have on your phone.
2. Choose Secure Passwords
We all know that it is very frustrating when you have to sign up with a complicated password including an upper case, a symbol, and a number, but there is a reason for that. Secured passwords are almost impossible for a hacker to guess.
Brute force attacks (guessing a password until you log in) is the most common way that hackers gain access to accounts. That’s why it is very important to set strong passwords that are impossible to guess.
3. Keep Your Operating System Up-To-Date
One of the biggest mistakes is avoiding updating your operating system. Big software companies like Google and Apple are constantly updating their software just to improve its stability and security.
Hackers are constantly searching for bugs and backdoors that are usually opened when the OS is not updated. That way they can access your phone very easily, so make sure you turn automatic updates on and keep your phone safe at all times.
4. Avoid Public Wi-Fi
The network you use can be a gateway for hackers when trying to access your phone. Hackers are trying to access people’s information by encrypting public networks. That way everything you type on your phone can be seen by the cybercriminal on the other end of the network.
So, make sure you use only secure Wi-Fi networks, and if you must use a public network avoid logging in with your credentials on social media pages or any other accounts.
5. Avoid Downloading Suspicious Programs or Files
Every time you want to download a file from the internet, make sure you go to the company’s official website and check for reviews. There are a lot of scams when it comes to downloading files from the internet and hackers are using popular brand names to sneak a virus into your phone.
If you want to shop at an online store, make sure you check their reviews and sometimes even contact the support team through their live chat software in order to make sure that you are dealing with a reputable company.
So, before every download, make sure you check out their reviews and see what people have to say about their experience.
6. Encrypt Data on Your Phone
One of the best ways to prevent access to your phone if it is stolen or lost is by encrypting your data. Most operating systems have encryption options that will cover up emails, contacts, financial information and prevent someone from accessing them.
You can check if you have “Data Protection” enabled in Settings on your iOS device, and go to “Security>Encrypt Phone” on your Android device.
Final Words
These are some of the best ways to keep your smartphone data safe at all times. If you go through all of the steps we mentioned before, you can be sure that your data is safe even when you lose your phone.