In this thriving era of technology, almost all of us own a mobile device. Nowadays, we use our mobile phones for hundreds of daily tasks like browsing the web, sharing files, instant messaging, video calling, and even banking. But on the other side, there is no way to deny that mobile devices are very vulnerable to online threats and physical attacks, as well. Malware, phishing, unauthorized access, and even theft have become almost mundane issues.
It does not matter whether you use Android, iOS, or even a feature phone; it is crucial to know how to secure mobile devices. In this article, we are going to share 8 tips and tricks to help you achieve your mobile devices. Let’s dive in.
SET STRONG PASSWORDS WITH BIOMETRICS :
Having strong and difficult passwords is a must for the safety of your device. When you use passwords, choose alphanumerical characters. If you do this, it will be more difficult for hackers or unauthorized ones to break the password. Note that, your password should be at least 8 or more characters in length.
However, locking your phone with strong passwords will be further strengthened if you add a fingerprint lock. If you apply biometrics security lock along with strong passwords, it will be almost impossible to access your device.
IGNORE ‘REMEMBER ME’ FEATURE
Most of the websites today let you use ‘remember me’ feature to automatically input passwords when you log in. Do not ever tick on ‘remember me’ when you log in on any website. Your password may easily get spoofed in this way. On top of that, if you lose your device, another person might get full access to your information and documents. So, avoid the trap of the ‘remember me’ thing by all means.
BEWARE OF PUBLIC AND FREE WI-FI
Who doesn’t like free Wi-Fi? But, hey, be careful! A public or open Wi-Fi can cause you much harm than you can think. Firstly, most of the free Wi-Fi points are not usually encrypted. Malicious people can use this network to eavesdrop and hack your username, passwords, and sensitive private data.
To stay protected from Wi-Fi issues, you should have enough applications to secure your connection. In this regard, a WEP connection is not as secured as a WPA connection.
Another thing that you should remember is not forgetting to turn off Bluetooth and Wii-Fi as soon as you discontinue the usage of these. Turning off these will not only help to stay secure but will also work equally to save the device battery.
USE VPN
VPN (Virtual Private Network) can help you secure your connection if you are not sure about the security status of your network. Moreover, you can secure your browsing history from the hacker’s eye when you are in a public Wi-Fi network. VPNs can also back you up to browse websites securely that lack security certificates and do not come with HTTPS.
ENCRYPT THE DEVICE
Encryption makes your data unreadable. Most modern mobile devices come with a built-in encryption feature. Encryption is very much effective in theft-related issues by preventing unauthorized access. Find the encryption feature on your device and enable the feature with a password. Note that the process of data encryption needs more time if your device has more data.
However, never forget the password or input the wrong password each time you want to decrypt your data. Many devices may erase all the data from your phone if you fail to input the right password several times. So, it is a wise decision to keep a backup of your data.
UPDATE THE FIRMWARE, APPS, AND GAMES REGULARLY
The firmware of your device is not always safe from security threats. If you have any loopholes in the present version of your device, updating the firmware and device might save you from the potential malware attacks. Android by Google and iOS by Apple are updated regularly to ensure the mobile device security. You should update your device from time to time, either manually or automatically.
Besides updating the firmware, updating the games and apps of your device is also crucial. Games and apps are updated by the providers to enhance the user experience and remove the bug. Try setting the ‘auto-update’ feature for games and apps if you have enough data.
LOG OUT FROM YOUR ACCOUNTS
We know that staying logged in on Facebook or Instagram helps us instantly get the status updates and photos of friends. Well, this might sound convenient. But, this is not safe to stay logged in when you are not using the website or app. It is a big no-no if you want to ensure the maximum security of your device.
Can you think about what can happen even if someone gets into your device for one minute? It is possible to rupture and mess the whole thing up for a hacker. So, log out of the apps when you are done using them to protect your sensitive and personal data.
INSTALL AN ANTIVIRUS
Are you 100% sure that all the files and data you download are free of malicious codes? If you are not, installing an antivirus is one of the most important things you should do. A malicious file or app can send your sensitive data to the hackers and breach the privacy and security of your device. Installing an antivirus from a reputed company will help you to investigate the files and apps you download. And it will remove them if they are found to be harmful to your device.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
Well, beyond doing the tasks mentioned above, you should do something more to maximize the security of your device. Here you go:
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Buy devices only from authorized sellers
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi if possible
- Download app from the app store your device comes with
- Use ‘find my phone’ feature and ‘theft protection’ if available.
- Change your passwords from time to time.
- Avoid the ‘auto-fill’ feature.
- Use password for every app to open (Specially gallery and social media apps)
FINAL WORDS
Ensuring mobile phone security is not a very easy task to do. Hackers and malicious viruses are lurking everywhere to snatch the data from your device. We hope that the mobile phone security tips we provided above will help you to secure your data and device. Knowing how to secure your mobile device is useful for all users around the globe.