Smartphone Security Tips For Users

You probably store a lot of personal and financial information on your smartphone that you would not want to be revealed if it is lost or stolen. Follow these guidelines which will help you to increase mobile phone safety and secure your smartphone.

DO’s

1. Ensure that you don’t leave your Smartphone unattended in public spaces. 

2. Enable the smartphone’s password/passcode protection setting; 

3. Install operating system updates whenever they become available to reduce the number of system vulnerabilities; 

4. Install an anti-malware protection app (if available for the device) to prevent infection from malicious apps and websites; 

5. When using the smartphone’s web browser, avoid suspicious/questionable websites that can be the source of malicious code. 

6. Be selective when buying or installing apps; wait for app reviews, download only from trusted sources and be cautious/suspicious of free apps.

7. Understand and control each downloaded apps “access” to smartphone data and personal information; 

8. Turn the Bluetooth access feature off when not needed and avoid Bluetooth use in busy public areas. 

9. Utilize a PIN to access voice-mail and avoid using the carrier’s default PIN setting. 

10. Ensure that smartphone e-mail account access is through either an SSL or HTTPS connection so that transmitted data is encrypted. 

DONT’s

1. Do not save passwords, PINs or other account information as Contacts or in Notes. 

2. Avoid using open Wi-Fi, especially for shopping and banking activities; Wi-Fi sniffing is a common occurrence that can have significant consequences like lost credit card numbers. 

3. Avoid opening suspicious e-mail or SMS text messages, especially from unknown sources. Incautious readers may be unwillingly tricked into phishing by entering sensitive Information from online prompts. 

Source: OoPpSs Group & Cyber Cell