7 tips to make your phone more secure

2016-08-01

7 tips to make your phone more secure

Our phones have become more precious items than our wallets, keys, or even sometimes our computers. All of us want them to be protected as much as possible - but not always having a four (or even 6) digit code may not be enough.

Thankfully, we?d like to help you on this subject and give you 7 tips&tricks to make your phone more secure. We all know, how important our holiday images and messages are. If you want to protect yourself from international spies and agencies, you should rather take a look at the most secure device ever created - BlackPhone. This article is created to help an average mobile user feel more comfortble in the times when your phone falls into wrong hands.

1. Software

Up - to - date. Always. We know it may be difficult sometimes - especially on Android devices - since manufacturers delay new patches and software changes, but you should always keep software on your phones up to date. On iOS and Windows Phone devices it will be much easier - remember to do it. As an addition to many new cool features, most of the updates come with a lot of security changes and patches for the loopholes. Best solution? Set your phone to check for updates automatically.

2. Secure lock screen

Probably the most basic form of phone secutiry - lock screen. If you have it secured - proceed to point 3. If not - head to the security settings on your phone and at least set a 4-digit code.

If your smartphone allows it - consider more subtle forms of securing your phone from the world. Fingerprint scanners - probably the most secure. Facial Recognition - depends on the device (google usually informs about the effectiveness of each device). Pattern unlocks will also do their job, but if you can accept the hussle - set an alphanumerical password. And always make it unvisible, as some of the devices allow passwords to be seen when typing. Not a best idea.

Pro-tip: you should change your password every now and then (every month?), to be protected against all those, who might look over your shoulder when you type it in.

3. Mobile Antivirus

One of the ways to loose those precious images of your dog, is to have a virus infected smartphone. It may not be as usual as on desktop computers, but still - better safe than sorry, right?

Thanks to very strict iPhone policies when it comes to installing any software, the problem occurs more often on Android devices. The opensource nature of the Google?s software makes it more vulnerable to outside attacks.

Consider downloading McAfee, AVG and Lookout. Do it from their official stores - there may be a few ?not so official? versions on Google Play Store, so better get those good ones.

4. Don?t jailbrake or root

Remember - if the app doesn?t come from the official App Store, it has not been checked by the professionals. We know that jailbreak or root gives you opportunities that have not been available earlier, but you have to consider security matters. Do it only when you are sure, you have the knowledge to secure your phone from malicious code.

5. Vaults

A second layer of security. Even if someone gains the access to your phone - which can happen, given you probably ignored the very first point of this article - he won?t be able to access your files. With an app, or by using a built-in options (Samsung has them for example) you can secure your data with another code or a fingerprint scanner.

6. Location

This may be more useful afer you loose your phone, rather than protect you from thiefs. Location settings on your phone should be enabled in case you leave it somewhere. You can always check where it is - most manufacturers have their own systems to keep an eye on your device. If not - download Prey, probably the best anti-theft application there is. It?s free up to three devices, so make sure your wife?s phone and tablet gets covered too.

7. SIM lock

Also called SIM PIN or SIM Security. It basically asks you a PIN code every time you want to make a call, send a message or acces the internet. Although it may seem a little hard to use, it may be convinient to turn it on when you happen to be in places that don?t look so safe.

Phone security is a huge matter right now - especially for people who use them more than their computers. Securing your data should be natural for you, and the tips we have given you, will be of a big value.

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