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Data leakage is no longer a surprise to modern reality. With the whole world going digital, losing your data is easy. It is also dangerous. All because hacking one’s phone allows the perpetrator to achieve one’s bank accounts, email, and files. The good news is that you can protect the security of your phone from cyber attacks. How to do it? Check the tips from our experts below.
Why Is Cybersecurity Vital?
The whole world is one big space of floating data. You texted your friends and sent a video. That’s data. You downloaded a digital book. That’s also data. You searched for a paper writing service to write a cybersecurity essay. Yeap, that’s also data. Our lives are made of pieces of health data, personal data, and other types of information. That’s why protecting even the tiniest piece of data in your life is so important.
While you’re reading this article, cybersecurity does the following:
- Protects cloud services. Yeap, no one has stolen your identity yet because cybersecurity specialists know their job;
- Let power systems run. We aren’t talking about capitalism here. Power grids are also targets of cyber attacks;
- Protects intellectual property. If you ever write a book, no one will steal it from your computer.
- Let governmental information systems run. No comments here.
How to increase the security of your phone? Keep reading.
#1: Lock Your Phone
Nearly a quarter of smartphone owners don’t use passwords. Neglecting passwords puts the security of your phone in danger. How to ensure your phone password is strong?
- It’s all about the numbers. When creating a phone password, don’t use obvious numbers like the date of birth or the number of your house. The more obvious your data gets, the easier for the hackers to access it;
- Graphical passwords are stronger than numbers. A stranger doesn’t know your visual associations. However, there is a higher chance they’ll find your date of birth on social media and use it.
#2: Download Apps From Reliable Sources
Remember that ‘Google Play’ icon on your phone menu? Yeap, this is the safest place to find new apps and tools. If you’re a fan of new productivity apps and like changing them each month, do the following:
- Check the developer online. Read everything about the tech company and its policies;
- Rating and reviews. Read what other users have to say about the app. Check the reviews to find whether the app put one’s security in danger;
- Read the privacy policy. Before downloading the app, check which phone features it will access.
#3: Updates And Backups
We all know that moment when deleting a photo or file was accidental. It’s great if you can restore the photo, but what if you can’t? Instead of feeling guilty, improve your cybersecurity by taking backups into account (pun intended). Oh, don’t forget about the updated features.
- Make sure all your files and photos are successfully stored on the cloud. You can always do it by attaching your email address. The same goes for storing your communication history in apps like Viber and Messenger;
- Stop disregarding updates! An app’s update usually includes enhanced security features. Also, make sure to upgrade your operating system security.
#4: Ever Thought About Wi-Fi And Bluetooth?
What does wi-fi connection have to do with your phone security? Everything. Without an Internet connection, hackers can’t access your phone. The same can be said about Bluetooth which allows you to share information with others. Also, log in to wi-fi networks that are reliable. This means avoiding public wi-fi at a cafe and a restaurant as much as you can. Yeap, the home network is the safest.
#5: Don’t Get Fast With Answers
Hackers will try to steal your data by pretending to be bank representatives or any other organization. They might ask you for a review and fill in a questionnaire. While this request is usual in bank services, we advise you to check the source. Simply contact the company or the bank and ask whether they’ve sent a particular request. Additionally, don’t open the ads that have been sent by email. Don’t know the sender of the letter – delete it.
#6: Ever Heard Of Caller Protection Apps?
Why do you need protection from people who call you? Let us say that not all callers have good intentions. Hackers are particularly callers hunting after your personal data, identity, and bank accounts. To ensure your gadget safety, download apps that filter the callers. Apps like Firewall and Burner do their job perfectly.
Such apps block the potentially dangerous callers and let you generate your own number. You can use the latter for contacting unknown users and organizations. Once you make the contact, you can effortlessly ‘burn’ the number and enjoy your safety.
#7: Logging Out
So, you’ve found the product you need on the Internet. You paid for it with your card, and now, you’re waiting for the delivery. But did you log out from your account? If you haven’t done it yet – do it right now. All because your incomplete transaction is a weak spot for hackers.
Make a new habit – log out of the account once you’ve completed your transaction. Also, stop storing your passwords and usernames. Better write them down elsewhere and type them each time you need a transaction. Ensure the website you’re making a payment on has a secure web gateway. You might also need to better understand secure web gateway vs. CASB.
#8: Lock It Again!
If you love browsing the Internet, always look for a ‘lock’ sign. This sign appears in the left corner of your screen, right before the site address. Once you see the sign, you may be sure that the place is safe. Because a ‘lock’ sign indicates that the site has a security certificate. No one will steal your personal data while you’re browsing through the page. If there is no ‘lock’ sign – run.
Final Thoughts
The invention of the Internet has complicated the entire concept of what staying safe means. Yes, ensuring the security of your phone and personal data is far more difficult nowadays. However, once you put the tips from the article into practice, you’ll be safe.
We hope the article was helpful to you. Good luck!
