These days, we are using smartphones as a centralized source for all our information and tasks. These electronic devices are used for one-stop payment, personal health monitoring, work monitoring, gaming, productivity monitoring, texting, tweeting, Facebook browsing. In short, it is the one thing that handles most of our tasks and we cannot do a single day without our smartphones.
With smartphones being so much important for us, it is equally essential that we ensure the privacy of data and content into it. Hacked browsers, petty thieves or own habit of leaving our phones accidentally in some places make our smartphones highly insecure. Facts reveal that every year millions of people lose their important data due to phone hacking or due to stolen phones.
Losing phone data or the phone itself is, of course, disheartening for any individual. However, it is even a bigger loss for the business people especially who are under BYOD (bring your own device) policies. As a result, many individuals, as well as businesses, have started taking mobile security as a serious issue. In fact, most of the smartphone manufacturing companies have started incorporating better security options in the phones itself.
Let us take a look at the various ways in which we can secure our mobile privacy.
Secure your lock screen with a Passcode:
We understand that it is quite cumbersome to enter a passcode every time when you use your phone. However, not using a passcode means you are giving an easy way to others to access your important information. While deciding on pass code, make sure that you do not go for birth dates, social security number or the most common “1234”. In fact, it is advisable that instead of using a pin go for a swipe pattern. This is because the probability of decoding a pin is higher than that of swipe pattern.
Select your Apps wisely:
Sometimes, we get fascinated with some apps on third party providers or websites and tend to download them. However, it is a strictly a NO-NO thing when it comes to mobile privacy. It is advisable to stick to the trusted app stores such as iTunes, Android Market or Amazon as the apps on these app stores are reasonable protected against malware. Every app is reviewed before it is added to the store and after that also, your phone app store installed programs continuously review those apps to ensure completely safety to your device.
Be more careful with financial apps. The best apps do not require you to enter the account information repeatedly.
Download security applications:
Your phone become vulnerable to attack by any virus once you start using Internet on it. So, when you secure your computer or laptop with an antivirus, why to keep your phone unprotected? Spyware and malware on phones can track your whereabouts, sent out your any personal information and slow down your phone. So, it becomes important to install security software. There are several anti-virus and anti-malware apps available for every type of device. However, make sure that you keep this software up-to-date to ensure complete privacy.
Activate remote wiping feature:
Every phone user must enable the remote wiping feature of the phone. This feature allows you to wipe off all the data and important information in case the phone is stolen. It is quite easy to do this. For an iPhone user, it simple requires to enable “Find My Phone” feature on the device and sign up on iCloud Account. The “find my phone” helps you track your phone using the GPS of the phone. Unfortunately, if your phones is lost or stolen, iCloud account will be your command central to wipe your data.
Give limited access to the phone Apps:
Whenever you download new apps on your device, the phone asks to confirm the app’s access requirements. Apps need to access certain things like camera, GPS or some files. Some of the apps may also need to access your contacts or profile information. It’s true that apps may not work without accessing some of these things but at the same time, make sure that you do not agree to every app’s access terms.
If some apps are asking to access more info, avoid them and look for some other alternates.
Don’t fall for open Wi-Fi networks:
Smartphones act smart only if they have Internet connection and we always look for Wi-Fi options everywhere we go to save our precious megabytes. However, getting connected to public networks may cause a risk to your mobile privacy. Connecting with any public network means you are making your phone information accessible to everyone around. We are not saying to completely avoid the Wi-Fi networks but make sure that you do it for general browsing. Do not access your credit card information and avoid any online shopping when you are using public networks.
Take phone back up regularly:
It is always advisable to keep a back up of your phone information like photos, music, apps and anything else. This is very helpful when you phone is lost or when you are doing an OS update. Also, always write down your IMEI number, a fifteen-digit number behind the phone’s battery. This will speed up the process of getting your phone.
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