Most people carry their smartphone with them, which serves as a mini-computer with all the details of their life. While your smartphone is an important extension of yourself, it is also a treasure trove of information that criminals want to get a hold of. However, it can be difficult to protect every single device from possible scams.
Cybersecurity professionals say that mobile devices are the hardest enterprise asset to defend, and 74% of IT leaders from global enterprises say that their organization has suffered a data breach because of a mobile security issue. Additionally, 93% of security professionals say they need to take mobile security more seriously.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to avoid becoming a victim of a mobile phone scam. This primarily depends on you being cautious about how you use your phone. Here are some tips that can help keep you safe.
1. Create Secure Passwords
Use highly secure passwords that meet the following guidelines:
- Computer-generated
- At least 12 characters long
- Not the same as passwords you use on other sites
- A combination of letters, numbers, and symbols
2. Create Extended Length PINs
Switch the standard 4-digit PIN for your lock screen to a 6-digit PIN, if possible. This will make it harder to hack into your device. Avoid using a birth date or a basic number combination like “1234.”
3. Update Frequently
You may be annoyed at frequent alerts about updating your phone. However, the latest updates often include security patches that can help prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities. Update your operating system and apps as soon as they become available to keep your device as secure as possible.
4. Lock Your Device
Be sure that you have your phone set up so that it automatically locks after a specific amount of inactive time. It takes less than a minute for a hacker to potentially infect your phone with a virus, so guard against this possibility by locking your device when it is not in use. This is especially important if you have client information saved to your device. Taking this step can also help protect your device in case it ever gets lost or stolen.
5. Use a Virtual Private Network
If you are working or traveling away from your home base, consider using a virtual private network that keeps your data private even if you are on public wi-fi.
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