Data spreads rapidly over the course of a day, and finds itself on all sorts of hardware and devices. Mobile platforms are no exception, as they often keep critical bits of information relating to work or personal items.
But just like anything, this sensitive data must be protected. There are numerous threats that exist which can corrupt, steal or damage info found on a mobile device. With the frequency of mobile device usage, a user is exposed to a higher saturation of threats.
Fortunately, there are methods one can utilize to keep their information protected. We’ll go over four key steps to protect this info.
1. Utilize Security Apps/Update Apps
Plenty of security apps exist for smartphones and tablets, which function like their PC counterparts. These are must-haves, as they can catch and protect against different threat types like malware.
It’s important to keep them updated. Outdated software won’t have the same protections in place and older apps can be exploited by savvy third parties.
2. Maintain Complex PINs/Passwords
There are several risk categories for mobile devices, such as losing a device. In those instances, your only protection is the PIN and/or password you have in place. Without that, your device is an open book.
Use a PIN you can remember while implementing passwords which are difficult to guess. Yes, it’s tiresome to create long logins with numbers, symbols, and random caps, but it pays off with safety.
If you can remember, try using touch based PINs. These modern conventions make it far more difficult for individuals to bypass basic security, and most modern mobile phones come equipped with the feature.
3. Browse Carefully
It’s easy to miss a threat on a mobile device. Smaller screen economy, no script blocking plugins, and less control you have with a PC means you can land on a threat without realizing it.
Paying attention to the website you’re on is important, along with the kinds of apps you download. Don’t throw caution to the wind, and always ignore strange messages, links, or prompts to download. These threats look for ways to hijack your information, preying on the unaware.
4. Backup Information
Everyone should have an external backup for data and all important information. There are a lot of ways to do this, from simply keeping copies of files/passwords in separate locations, to utilizing cloud storage.
This assures that in the event you’ve lost a device or your files were compromised, you have a way to retrieve them. This is especially important when dealing with business devices, where company data cannot afford to be lost.
Aside from these essential tips, keeping mobile devices free of security problems is mainly common sense and cyber smarts. Avoid suspicious websites, links, add-ons, apps, or requests for your information. Always practice skepticism in the face of the unknown. With this knowledge, you’ll never have to worry about an intrusion again.
