Five Ways to Improve your Mobile Security
Cellphones, while our biggest blessing, is also our biggest curse. Worlds of knowledge at our fingertips, online banking, shopping, and everything that makes having a mobile device so great, is also something that leaves us at an extreme risk of cyber attack. It should come as no surprise that while our technology advances, so does the ability to exploit it.
5) Keep your phone locked
Getting your device stolen is a sure fire way to become a victim to a cyber attack. Having your unlocked phone stolen would result in the person who found it having complete access to your information including contacts, address, social medias, and more. One easy way to prevent this from happening is to have a password on your phone. This can be a word or numerical code, face ID, fingerprint, or whatever your phone offers.
In addition to a password, most phones offer options on how long they can remain idle before they turn off, requiring you to re enter your passcode to regain access. It’s recommended that you choose a short amount of time. The shorter, the better. Not only will this save you time for when you forget to lock your phone, but it will also save you battery!
4) Consistently update your OS
Your phone’s Operating System (OS) updates constantly to improve your phone and overall make it a better experience, including performance, security, battery life, etc. These updates come out frequently, and it’s important to stay up to date on them! Updating your phone can protect it from threats. You can update your phone through your settings.
3) Connect to a secure network
If you own a phone, chances are you’re familiar with WiFi. The internet can be accessed from anywhere, in fact, for many of us, it’s the first thing we look for when we enter a restaurant, airport, etc. While this may be a huge convenience, free or public WiFi can be unsecured and therefore, unsafe to use.
To avoid becoming the target of an attack, use a VPN. Using a VPN will allow for an extra layer of protection when surfing the internet in public spaces.
2) Mind your 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.
1) Do NOT attempt to jail break or root your phone
Jailbreaking or rooting your phone is when you unlock your phone and remove the safeguard the manufacturers have put in place so you can access anything you want. It may be tempting to jailbreak or root your phone to access app stores other than the official ones, but this puts you at high risk. The apps on these illegitimate stores have not been vetted and can easily hack into your phone and steal your information.
HOW SECURE HALO CAN HELP.
Stopping risks before they start!
Here at Secure Halo, we offer a variety of services. Third Party Risk Management is one of our specialties! With our TPRM services, we analyze the threats to your business before it’s too late. To learn more, click here.
