How To Secure Your Mobile Device

How do I keep my device secure?

Mobile devices, such as Smartphones and Tablets, have become a critical part of our daily lives. However, with the increase in mobile usage comes an increase in the potential for security threats, whilst tech has become a lot more advanced, so has hacking. And it's time to take our security for mobile phones seriously. 

What is hacking?

A hacker is someone who explores methods to ‘break into’ another individual's computer system, steal data or disrupt services. Hacking a phone can be very easy, and once hackers have individuals’ personal data, they usually then use it to fuel identity theft, use the victims credit card or take out large loans in the victim's name. Usually, there are a lot of tactics hackers use to get another person’s data, including phishing, virus attacks and malware injecting.

To protect your personal and sensitive information, it's important to take steps to secure your mobile devices. Here are some tips to secure your phone from hackers.

Keep your software up to date:

Regular software updates often include security fixes and patches, so it's important to keep your device's operating system and apps up to date. This will help protect your device from known security vulnerabilities.

Use a strong password:

Use a strong and unique password to protect your device from unauthorised access. Using a password manager is great for generating and storing complex passwords, so you don’t have to keep forgetting them or storing them on your phone.

What is an example of a strong password?

• Don’t use anything guessable.
• Don’t use simple codes like 1234, 4321, 0001.
• Do use a mix of both letters, numbers and symbols, h£Ll0, p@Ssw07d.
• Do use longer words that are more difficult to guess, create a passPHRASE rather than a passWORD.

Enable two-factor authentication:

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your device by requiring you to enter a second form of authentication, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.

This means if someone tries to get into your account, they will be asked to answer a question set by you, and since only you will know the answer, this will stop hackers from getting into your accounts.

Use a reputable antivirus or security app:

Install a reputable antivirus or security app to protect your device from malware and other security threats. Look for an app that offers real-time protection, anti-phishing capabilities, and app scanning.

Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi:

What is the risk of joining public wifi?

Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured and can be easily hacked, putting your sensitive information at risk. If you must connect to public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing sensitive information and be sure to use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection.

When joining any webpages online, always check that the lock symbol is at the front of the URL link, this is how you know the website is secure and safe to go on. If you follow these rules, you will decrease your potential risks of using public wifi.

Be cautious when downloading apps:

Be careful when downloading apps and only download them from reputable sources, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Avoid downloading apps from third-party app stores or websites, as they may contain malware or other security threats.

Back up your data:

Like you would back up photos or back up your phone, regularly backing up your device's data helps to protect against data loss in the event of device theft or loss. You can use cloud storage or an external hard drive to store your backups.

It is also good to back up your data to keep storage free or in case you accidently lose the data from your phone, you will have it in a backup device.

By following these tips, you can help protect your phone and keep your personal and sensitive information safe.

Stay vigilant and always be aware of the potential security threats that may arise and take the necessary steps to secure your mobile devices.