Most people use their smartphones for everything these days. These tiny electronic tools help people stay connected.
Because so much of the population relies on their mobile devices, it is important to mention that sometimes they face security issues. Physical and cyber attacks can quickly put a device owner’s information and data at risk.
Fortunately, having a phone isn’t a guarantee that an attack will happen. In fact, plenty of people use mobile devices for years without any harm done!
Here are 3 steps that mobile device users can take to secure their phones against attacks.
1. Use a PIN, password, face ID, or fingerprint to unlock the mobile device
It’s easiest to start with the basics. If somebody’s phone is lost or stolen, taking this one step can help protect data and other private information.
Setting up a face ID, fingerprint, or PIN entry to a phone is simple. It can be done through the mobile device’s settings. Always opt for strong passwords (passwords that have little or nothing to do with the device owner are ideal).
2. Use public wifi carefully
The work-from-anywhere movement is growing quickly, and free public wifi can be a great tool that helps people communicate and work on the go. It also offers an easy way to save data. With that said, public wifi is insecure.
Here are some examples of the dangers of public wifi:
• Rogue networks: These are dangerous networks disguised as legitimate wifi connections
• Network snooping: A hacker can use software to monitor activity on a third-party’s laptop
• Malware and viruses: Some codes and apps are written with the intent to intercept private information or harm devices
If somebody wants to use public wifi safely, there are basic steps they can take to protect their data:
• Limit file sharing: Find AirDrop in Settings– turn it off; this means no one can take files or send in unwanted ones
• Use a VPN: VPNs encrypt (or protect) data that travels to and from a phone
• Don’t stay permanently signed into accounts: Doing this leaves accounts open for easy access
3. Delete old apps and update new ones
Everybody has downloaded an app, used it one time, and then totally forgotten about it. This might seem harmless, but it actually does open up the door to some security risks.
Every app has the potential for security issues. If an app is unused, there’s no use in leaving it on a phone to increase that mobile device’s risk. Data breaches are becoming more and more common–deleting old apps is one way to combat the likelihood of a breach having a personal impact.
Make sure that the apps that stay on a phone are regularly updated. Lots of updates have important security features that help improve users’ safety.
Protecting mobile devices against attacks is easy
It might sound daunting to try to protect a phone against potential attacks, but the process is actually simple! Mobile device owners can take three easy steps to help improve their safety and ensure their privacy.
Firstly, always use some sort of security function to lock the phone. Avoiding the use of public wifi– or using it carefully– can also help protect mobile devices. Deleting old apps and updating the remaining ones improves safety, too.