We live in a world where billions of people own smartphones. According to statistics provided by Hackernoon, in 2017, people spent an average of 5 hours per day using their mobile phones. Due to all the mobile technology advances and cool new features available on the market, this number continues to increase.

How to Secure Your Smartphone

While we might not be here to criticize people for spending so much time on their phones, we want to point the finger at the security aspect of this issue. With the improvement of mobile technology came the increase of cybersecurity risks. According to CNET, smartphones have never been more vulnerable to attacks than they are today. This is mostly due to consumers’ habits to ignore important updates and neglect mobile security in general.

Updating your mobile device is one of the crucial steps toward protecting it from malicious attacks. Each software update carries significant security improvements and fixes holes in the system, making it more difficult for hackers to access your data. If you ignore a single software update, you are voluntarily offering your phone to hackers who will exploit your data. Here are five ways you can secure your smartphone, besides installing the newest updates available. 

#1 Always Keep Your Phone Locked

Securing your smartphone starts with setting up a strong password on the device. Leaving your phone unlocked will enable others to access your data and take a peek at your personal files, which is not something you want to allow. Thus, make sure to lock your phone and never leave it unattended. When it comes to locks, stick to pin codes or passwords, as the pattern locks are not very effective. If you own one of the newer smartphones, you can also take advantage of advanced biometric locks that allow you to access your phone via fingerprint or face recognition.

#2 Be Careful with Downloads

The largest source of malware on smartphones are applications that originate from unofficial sources. If a website takes you to an unofficial page to download their software, stay away from that software provider and try to find similar applications and solutions on official app stores. In other words, only download applications from official sources such as the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Make sure to read comments and reviews before downloading an application to check whether previous users had any issues with it. You can also look out for suspicious access requests when downloading applications. If an application for text editing requests access to your camera or contacts, it might be a sign that something’s not right.

#3 Set Up Remote Wipe 

Setting up remote wipe on your smartphone will allow you to secure your data after your device has been breached. You can never be 100% sure that your device is fully protected. In case of any unwanted security consequences, you can use the remote wipe feature to make sure hackers don’t access your data. There are plenty of free remote wipe solutions available online. All you have to do is set them up in time, and you will be able to track your phone if it gets stolen, as well as delete all data remotely in a matter of seconds. 

#4 Use an Anti-Virus Application

Using an anti-virus application is the easiest way to ensure your smartphone is protected from malicious files and unprotected online sources. There are multiple anti-virus solutions available in the official app stores for Android and iOS devices. You can opt for free apps that offer basic protection or invest into a paid version for more security. Either way, having some sort of anti-virus protection on your smartphone is mandatory. Once you download the application, use it regularly to scan your device for infected files and security threats. 

#5 Connect via VPNs

Last but not least, you can protect your Android smartphone from hackers and online security threats by connecting to the internet via Virtual Private Servers. A VPN routes all your data and online traffic through a distant server and masks your real IP address from hackers and other third parties such as governments and your internet service provider. Make sure to use a VPN whenever you connect to public networks to encrypt your data and keep your smartphone secure.

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Conclusion

Even if you haven’t paid attention to mobile device protection before, spending only 10 minutes a day on improving the security of your smartphone will make a tremendous difference. Make a short list of security checks for your smartphone and go through it regularly to ensure your phone stays protected. Don’t forget to leave us a comment below if you have any questions or concerns regarding mobile phone security!

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