These days, we use our phones for everything from surfing the web to mobile banking. This is why phone protection is more important than ever.
Unfortunately, this is proving to be an increasingly frustrating task. Due to their portability, mobile devices are susceptible to both online threats and physical attacks. Many security threats — such as spyware — target exclusively mobile devices.
The good news: there are plenty of ways to keep your phone secure. Here’s all you need to know about how to protect mobile devices in an effective manner.
Watch the Wireless
Most phones come with the option of connecting to wireless networks. There are several reasons for doing so, from increased speeds to saving on data usage.
Still, there are some risks associated with wireless connections. This is particularly true when it comes to wireless hotspots and unknown networks. For example, one common threat involves a fraudulent access point called the “evil twin.”
This attack consists of the malicious party using an access point that looks a lot like a legitimate hotspot. Once you connect to it, you’ll get several prompts for entering sensitive information. This may include passwords, login details, and more.
The best protection method is to switch off your wireless connection if it’s not in use. Make sure to go through your phone’s network security settings. Chances are, your phone may be set up to automatically connect to any network in range.
Lock Your Phone
Studies show that over half of phone users don’t set up passwords on their devices. In fact, only 22 percent of them use any anti-theft measures at all.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why this is a bad idea. If your phone gets lost or stolen, anyone who picks it up will have unlimited access to it. This could result in stealing your data, registering for unwanted services, and so on.
The simplest way to protect your phone is to use a “pattern lock.” To unlock your phone, you’ll need to draw a personalized pattern on the screen. This tends to be less hassle than entering a password or a PIN code.
Also, watch out for someone removing your SIM card and using it somewhere else. You can protect against this by using a PIN to set up a SIM card lock. Anyone turning the phone on will need to enter this number to connect to a network.
Encrypt Your Data
Locking your phone is a good first step, but it may not be enough. For best results, consider using encryption software to protect your sensitive data.
First things first: what is encryption? In simple terms, it’s the process of making your data unreadable. If your phone gets stolen, encryption will prevent unauthorized access. Most modern phones come with a built-in encryption feature.
If you opt for encryption, you’ll need to remember your encryption password. You should also back up your sensitive data and store it on a secure server. That way, you can always change the server login details in case of theft.
Be Careful With Apps
When it comes to phone security, malware gets a lot of bad press. Any time you’re downloading an app, there’s a chance you’ll get malware.
One thing you can do is take a closer look at software requirements. It’s tempting to skip this part to get the app running faster, but this isn’t a good idea. In some cases, the app will have unrealistic demands when it comes to phone access.
You should also avoid saving user details and passwords in your web browsers. As convenient as this is, it makes it very easy for other people to access this data. Pay particular attention to online merchants saving your bank account details.
Finally, don’t gloss over potential security warnings when looking at websites. Sites that don’t have an “s” at the start of their URL (“https://”) aren’t worth the bother. If a site asks for your personal details, make sure it’s secure first.
Don’t Root Your Device
Rooting a phone is a relatively recent practice among Android users. This process allows you to access the read-only parts of your operating system.
The main benefit of rooting is to overcome the manufacturer’s limitations. This may include running specialized apps, installing a custom interface, and so on. Though rooting can be useful, it opens your phone up to security risks as well.
See, the main reason why the read-only parts are inaccessible is to protect them. If your phone gets infected with malware, hackers may gain full access to your device. On open-source platforms such as Android, this is a very common issue.
Prevent Fall Damage
Other than software threats, you should also watch out for physical ones. As useful as they are, our phones are very susceptible to fall damage.
There are many ways to drop a phone by accident, and the results may not be pretty. Potential damage can range from a simple broken screen to a bent body. A broken phone may cause touchscreen issues and deteriorate due to moisture exposure.
The best way to protect your phone from fall damage is to invest in a durable case. You have plenty of options at your disposal, but we recommend carbon fiber. To learn more about what is carbon fiber, click on that link.
Other tips include using your phone with both hands and not putting it in your lap while sitting down. Also, consider using a phone ring holder to improve your grip on the device.
More on How to Protect Mobile Devices
As you can see, knowing how to protect mobile devices is all about common sense. By following the above tips, your phone should be as safe as they come.
One final tip: make sure you’re always updated to the latest software. New security threats emerge every day, and many of them can target your phone’s vulnerabilities. This is why Google and Apple roll out new updates so often.
Want to know more about how to protect your phone? Interested in unlocking the full potential of your device? Check out our Entertainment section!
