Everyone is exposed to hacking including a phone user. Reports show that 67% of companies have experienced cyber-attacks as a result of the employees using their mobile phones to extract their company’s data. Google has also reported that more than 1.3 million of its accounts have been breached through android apps that are illegitimate. Furthermore, approximately 12,000 different devices across the world are infected each day through apps.
With such data, there is a need to be careful. Here are some security measures that can help protect your phone.
Update your device
Software updates are the best form of protection against hackers. Make sure that as soon as an update is available to install it. Companies such as Google and LG have designed means in which their clients can install monthly updates. These updates are available even for devices that date way back in 2013. It is an important step taken by these companies to protect the privacy of their customers.
Outdated apps and iOS or Android systems are prone to risks because the hackers know where the vulnerabilities are and will exploit it when given a chance. While updating it is also important to remember that you should not root your mobile phone or use unofficial tools to do so. Rooting gives the apps in your phone abilities to complete actions that are prohibited by the phone security and so, they can read and use your personal information.
Be aware of Public Networks
Everybody likes enjoying free wifi to save on data. However, have you ever considered the level of insecurity that is associated with such a network opened to everyone? If you have never paid attention to this then you should. Any hacker including amateurs can use these networks to spy on you.
When using a network that you are doubtful of its security, it is better to avoid it and use your phone internet connection. Another option is the use of a VPN tool. This tool should be from the top rated VPNs. The VPN providers will encrypt your data and hide your IP address so that anyone trying to spy on you won’t know exactly what you are up to.
Use an App Store
Your phone gives you the ability to install software from other providers, however, such an action is not advisable. You should stick to your app store which is much safer. The apps that are to be added to the app store are scanned and scrutinized for any malware. Also, your phone has the ability to continue scanning the installed apps from an app store for any malware. Downloading apps from unknown sources will not have the same type of protection. Some of the third party apps will infect your phone and may compromise your data.
While installing most apps will ask for permission for several accesses such as access to messages, camera, files and even to the phone microphone. It occurs mainly to Android users. Most of the apps requesting such access have legitimate uses. However, the same apps are open to misuse and you should be careful with what you allow them to do.
Plan to track your phone
If your phone is stolen there is a way that you can track it or save your data, but you need to plan ahead. In order to safeguard your data, you can set it to erase itself automatically in case another person makes several unsuccessful attempts to bypass the password and passcodes.
For the Apple users you can use the iCloud to access the “find my device” and for the android users, you can use the Google services to do the same. These methods will help you track your phone and erase all the data. The same process can help you ring a phone that has been misplaced or that has just been stolen.
Beware of social media
People today are using social media for many reasons. While you might be using it to socialize a hacker uses it to get access to your personal information. Having information such as the date of birth, your full names, hometown among much other truthful information is risky. This information is enough for a hacker to use for bypassing your phone passcodes and access your data. They can, therefore, pick this information from the site.
To avert such attacks fictionalize your personal information. Use data that is hard to guess. You should also remember the information that you give in these sites because you might end locking yourself out.
Use a security App
Most people have an antispyware for their PCs but lack one for their phones. Despite what features your phone has, it is very vulnerable to malware among other attacks, especially when accessing the internet using your phone. Make sure that your phone has antivirus and an antimalware, if it doesn’t there are many in the play store developed for each type of device. To ensure that there your apps are not working in the background whereby they receive and send data without your authorization you can use a firewall app. It will prevent such activities.