Tips for Mobile Security

Everyone has a mobile device and it’s easy to receive messages from anyone, anywhere. Criminals will always try to profit from this mass number of potential victims. The following tips will keep you from becoming their next target.

  1. Set a password on your phone. While it is a tad less convenient, a thief would have a harder time unlocking your phone to get your personal data.
  2. Enable two–factor authentication (2FA) for your major accounts, like mobile banking apps and peer-to-peer payment apps. This added layer of security will prevent a thief from being able to wipe out your financial accounts.
  3. If your location is known and being tracked by the phone in your pocket, then apps with that permission can access the data and follow you. Keep yourself hidden by turning off your location data and be mindful of which permissions you allow within an app.
  4. Keep your device’s operating system (OS) updated. Although they happen frequently and users tend to ask the device to remind them in the future, it’s important to stay up to date with these. These updates can protect both iOS and Android devices from newly discovered threats. To check if your phone’s OS is up to date, go to “about phone” or “general” and click “system updates” or “software update.”
  5. Beware of downloads. When you are downloading apps, be sure to download them from the official app stores and check reviews. Cybercriminals create rogue mobile apps that mimic trusted brands in order to obtain users’ confidential information. To avoid this trap, be sure to look at the number of reviews, last update and contact information of the organization.
  6. Install anti-virus software. These programs can protect against viruses and hacking attempts. Some of them even have VPN features included as an added bonus.
  7. Avoid public charging stations unless there is an emergency. Hackers have been known to set up fake charging stations in scams known as “juice jacking.” After you plug in, they can access your phone’s data or install malware on the device.
  8. When you log into an account with a third-party app or service, information is being shared between that service and your account. Keep a lid on your data by using unique login accounts.

Business owners, we can get you setup on a mobile device management platform that would allow you to limit the apps downloaded on devices, track the device locations, etc. Call us today for more information about that service, antivirus, and more.