geralt / Pixabay
Keeping your personal data secure in these perilous times of cyber-criminals, is imperative. Think about it….your smartphone or Tablet is a reflection of “you”, it’s a part of your everyday, & probably holds a staggering set of information about your life.
You might not think that anyone would be interested in your mundane profile, but when you consider that over 4.5 billion data records were breached in the first half of 2018, you’ll realize that security is something that you should take responsibility for & be proactive about.
So how to keep your phone data safe?
Your device
Securing your device is the 1st step towards improving your vulnerability. Use a screen-locker with a PIN on your phone or Tablet, to ensure that your information is safe on the most basic level – you don’t want someone prying into your data if you leave your phone unattended for a few minutes, on your workbench or at a coffee shop. Your device may not be stolen, but your data is another matter. Also, enable two-factor identification if it’s available for your device. These are level-one security measures.
Your apps
Never, ever download apps from sources other than official App Stores, however tempted. Always check out the permissions apps require before giving them the green light. After all, why would a drawing app need your contact list? Also, check out app reviews & do a Google search to see if the app you’re after has been involved in any scandals. Even the most innocuous app types might contain keyloggers, malware or randsomware – If in doubt don’t download. Another safety precaution is to check on your device’s performance while utilizing applications – check under settings to see if the application is running in the background or if it’s consuming too much battery-life – these watch-points are key to shutting down invasive applications.
Your passwords
We’ve all heard the stories about data leaks & commercial data crime-rings, we’ve all been told to institute strong passwords on our devices to protect our identity, but it’s easier said than done. Probably a good defense for this universal scenario is a Password Manager. Password Managers generate random passwords for each application & the beauty is that you do not need to be Einstein to remember them, the app does it all for you & all you need to do is memorize the master password for the app, which protects all others.
Your browsing
Surfing the Net can be a dangerous business, what with public hot-spots & phishing Sites as peril-points, it’s advisable to use a VPN to secure your Online presence while surfing on your mobile phone. Virtual Private Name servers protect your identity online & offer Cookie-free browsing. A VPN allows you to suppress Online adverts which collect data about your preferences & avoid malware, which might be embedded in the advert’s images or videos.
