Mobile Phone Security Tips

Here are 15 mobile device security tips to help keep your phone secure:

1. Always lock your phone when  it’s not in use. Set up Touch ID or Facial Recognition on your device, and back that up with a unique PIN or pattern.
2. Don’t download apps from third-party sites. Cybercriminals create “spoof” apps to trick people into downloading malware or spyware onto their devices. Only use official apps from Google Play or iTunes.
3. Avoid public charging stations unless there is an emergency. Hackers have been known to set up fake charging stations in scams known as “juice jacking.” After you plug in, they can access your phone’s data or install malware on the device.
4. In our fast-paced world, it can be tempting to seek out the most convenient internet connection while away from home. Use caution when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. Cybercriminals can access and monitor your activity if you connect to one of their seemingly trustworthy “spoof” networks.
5. Try to avoid opening email links, even if you think the sender is familiar. Smartphones are just as susceptible to viruses as computers. Phishing attacks remain prevalent, and 90 percent of malware is delivered via email.
6. Use a different password for every account you own, and don’t save them in your browser. More than half of all consumers reuse passwords across business and personal accounts. Instead, use a password manager and test your password strength before using it.
7. Always back up your smartphone’s data. If your mobile device gets lost, stolen, or destroyed, would you feel safe that your contacts, pictures, apps, and email data are secure? Make sure that you sync your phone so your data is backed up on the cloud.
8.  Speaking of lost cell phones, turn on remote tracking in your mobile device settings. Apple users have Find My iPhone, and Android users can enable Find My Device to see the last known location of the device. Both features allow you to remotely wipe your smartphone’s data if your phone is stolen or can’t be retrieved.
9.  If you must connect your phone to public Wi-Fi, avoid visiting websites that contain sensitive or financial information, like your bank or credit card’s website. If you have to do this, use a “virtual private network” or VPN, which encrypts your data.
10. Install antivirus software on mobile devices. As a best practice for any mobile device — phones, tablets, or other — consider adding antivirus software for the additional security it provides against malware or other viruses.
11. Invest in mobile threat defense. This software scans your phone and will alert you to suspicious activity, like rogue applications and fake Wi-Fi networks. It also includes fully-managed restoration if data exposure were to lead to an identity theft incident.
12. Enable two–factor authentication (2FA) for your key accounts, like mobile banking apps and peer-to-peer payment apps. This added layer of security will prevent a thief from being able to wipe out your financial accounts.
13. Audit your apps to see what information they are accessing. You may have heard of the WhatsApp security vulnerability that allowed malware to be installed on users’ phones. Google Play scans 50 billion apps every day, but there is no way to identify all flaws. Be cautious about what permissions you grant the apps that you download.
14. Do not “Root” your Android or “Jailbreak” your iPhone. These processes give you complete access to your device, but in doing so, removes many of the safeguards that the manufacturers have put in place.
15. Always update your phone’s Operating System (OS) when prompted. These updates are meant to protect your device and information.

No smartphones are totally immune to hackers and cybercriminals, but by following the steps above, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.