Whenever you use your smartphone, there’s a risk. Your cell provider tracks your location, and it’s virtually impossible to determine precisely what data each app may collect and sell.
It can be a little intimidating, as the tradeoff for convenience and dazzling technology is knowing that strangers may be peeking into your virtual window at any time.
The good news is: there are steps you can take to mitigate smartphone security concerns.
7 Steps for a More Secure Phone
Use the built-in authenticator.
Two-factor authentication adds security when you sign into an account, website, or service, as logins send a code to your device.
Lock down apps that know your location.
You may want your navigation app to know where you are, so it can guide your destination or your weather app to know your location to provide accurate forecasts. But as far as other apps go, you can quickly check them and impose restrictions as needed.
Keep locking: This time, lock down your actual lock screen.
Change whatever is accessible from your phone’s lock screen – including widgets, media playback controls, your camera, and Control Center – as a further privacy safeguard. Because if you can see it, so can anyone else who may be holding your phone.
Check up regularly on your passwords.
Go to your Settings >Passwords to detect if any of the latter have been compromised, which can happen if a site with which you have an account is breached.
Know how to find your phone.
Utilize Find My iPhone or similar features if you lose your smartphone. With more advanced operating systems, you can also be alerted if you lose other devices.
Use Mail Privacy Protection.
Mail Privacy Protection hides your IP address from senders, so they cannot use it to track your online activity or location. It also prevents senders from seeing whether or not they have opened any email they sent.
Keep your ID secure.
Never share your ID with anyone. It can access services, addresses, passwords, contact, payment, and security details.
Additional details and instructions for iPhones are easy to follow.
This year, the number of smartphone users worldwide is projected to reach 6.8 billion, a growth rate of 4.2 percent per year. Cybercriminals can target any of those users using malicious apps, phishing, and other techniques. Continue learning as much as possible to avoid becoming a victim. At best, victims feel exposed and violated, and at worst, repercussions can range from significant financial loss to severe reputational damage.
Expand Your IT Security Knowledge
As an IT professional, are you looking for your next great career opportunity, including a role associated with security assurance? Venteon Partners can help. We focus on matching IT talent with leading employers in Ohio, Michigan, and the Midwest. Contact us to get started or to search for our IT jobs.