What's your strategy for protecting mobile devices?

Mobile devices are essential tools for work and personal use, but they also pose significant risks to your data, privacy, and security. If you don't have a strategy for protecting your mobile devices, you could be exposing yourself to cyberattacks, identity theft, data breaches, and more. In this article, we'll cover some of the key aspects of mobile device management, and how you can implement them to safeguard your devices and your information.

1 Choose strong passwords

One of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your mobile devices is to use strong passwords or passcodes. A strong password is long, complex, and unique, and it should not be easy to guess or crack. You should also avoid using the same password for multiple devices or accounts, and change them regularly. Some devices also offer biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or face recognition, which can add an extra layer of security.

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Dmitri Piunov

Social Media Strategy Leader | Content Creator | Samsung USA Brand Ambassador
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Biometrics are very convenient, but those who are serious about security, might want to be mindful of their downsides. There are many scenarios when someone might get unauthorized access to your personal data if you're incapacitated, for example.

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2 Enable encryption

Encryption is a process that scrambles your data so that only authorized parties can access it. Encryption can protect your data from being intercepted, stolen, or tampered with, even if your device is lost or stolen. Most mobile devices have built-in encryption features that you can enable in the settings. You should also encrypt your backups, cloud storage, and external storage devices, such as USB drives or SD cards.

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3 Install updates

Updates are essential for keeping your mobile devices secure and functional. Updates often contain patches for security vulnerabilities, bug fixes, and performance improvements. You should always install updates as soon as they are available, and avoid using outdated or unsupported software. You can also check the settings of your devices to enable automatic updates or notifications for updates.

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Nick Beaugeard

International Speaker | Software Architect | Councillor @ Northern Beaches Council | ISO 27001 Lead Auditor
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As a software developer, I know we are constantly updating our software both to improve it and to address the latest security concerns. Keeping up to date is the most important thing you can do to keep stable and secure.

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4 Use antivirus software

Antivirus software is a program that detects and removes malicious software, such as viruses, malware, spyware, and ransomware. Malicious software can infect your mobile devices through downloads, attachments, links, or other sources, and compromise your data, privacy, and security. You should install a reputable antivirus software on your mobile devices, and scan them regularly. You should also avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments, and only download apps from trusted sources.

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Dmitri Piunov

Social Media Strategy Leader | Content Creator | Samsung USA Brand Ambassador
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Most modern computer systems have their own strong antivirus and Anti-Malware protections already built in, and on mobile devices specifically, it might not be nesasary to use a third party antivirus as long as the user is mindful of their activities.

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5 Enable remote wipe

Remote wipe is a feature that allows you to erase all the data on your mobile device remotely, in case it is lost or stolen. Remote wipe can prevent unauthorized access to your data, and reduce the impact of a potential data breach. You can enable remote wipe in the settings of your device, or use a third-party app or service. You should also backup your data regularly, so that you can restore it if needed.

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Dmitri Piunov

Social Media Strategy Leader | Content Creator | Samsung USA Brand Ambassador
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Can't argue with this. It's always a good idea to have a remove wipe option enabled, and know exactly how to use it if your mobile device is lost or stolen. On top of that, it's a good practice to periodically back up important information, so if a data has to be erased, you have a copy of it on your home computer or even better, on the cloud.

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6 Educate yourself and others

The last but not least aspect of mobile device management is education. You should be aware of the common threats and best practices for protecting your mobile devices, and share them with your colleagues, friends, and family. You should also follow the policies and guidelines of your organization, if you use your mobile devices for work purposes. By educating yourself and others, you can create a culture of security and responsibility for your mobile devices.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What's your strategy for protecting mobile devices?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Choose strong passwords

2 Enable encryption

3 Install updates

4 Use antivirus software

5 Enable remote wipe

6 Educate yourself and others

7 Here’s what else to consider

Mobile Technology

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What's your strategy for protecting mobile devices?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Choose strong passwords

2 Enable encryption

3 Install updates

4 Use antivirus software

5 Enable remote wipe

6 Educate yourself and others

7 Here’s what else to consider

Mobile Technology

Rate this article

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