Digital security is a huge concern in the modern era. This is why combating malware has become a key point of conversation both in the private sector and at many security conferences.
According to Pew Research, more than 5 billion people in the world have mobile devices today. This means that it’s important to consider your digital security in relation to devices like smartphones just as much as you do when you’re sitting at your desktop.
However, being secure means that you have to take measures to protect your information from malicious parties. Luckily, there are certain measures that you can take to ensure that your mobile privacy is protected. These steps will ensure that your personal information is safe and uncompromised.
1. Don’t Jailbreak Your Phone
“Jailbreaking” an iPhone refers to the practice of bypassing certain factory-set measures in the device to give the user more control over it. A similar process called “rooting” is available on Androids.
While this may give users more freedom over their devices, it also removes many of the inset security measures that the manufacturers include. Removing these features maks your device more vulnerable to breaches and malware attacks. Ultimately, it’s best to avoid this practice in all to keep these protective measures intact.
2. Keep Operating Systems Up-to-Date
Updates to operating systems can take time. This is a big reason that many people choose to continuously ignore or delay these updates. Yet, these updates aren’t only full of aesthetics or frivolous features. Rather, these updates often include improvements on convenience and, in this case, security. By opting out of the new version of an operating system, you’re opting out of the new and better measures that the manufacturer is using to protect your data.
3. Be Careful What You Download
When using a laptop or PC, one of the most obvious ways to avoid malware is to try to stay away from suspicious websites. The same concept stands for mobile devices but the apps the user downloads pose the biggest threats.
A good rule of thumb is to try and stay away from third-party apps when possible. It’s also beneficial to research any apps before installing them into your phone. This means taking measures such as reading reviews. Apps that ask for odd accesses or excessive personal information during set-up are suspicious as well.
4. Beware of Phishing
Phishing is a phrase that’s often associated with email, but the technique is becoming more common in texts and calls as well. In the case of a text, you might get a message from an unknown number asking – or, “fishing” – for personal information. These requests are usually disguised by pretending to be from a legitimate source. To avoid the fallout of these, don’t respond to suspicious texts or click on links from untrustworthy or unknown sources.
5. Beware Public WiFi
Public WiFi sources are inherently insecure. With such open access, it’s easy for malevolent parties to take advantage of the connectivity of the devices across it. If possible, try to use the data on your phone when you’re away from home. If you’re going to use public WiFi, taking extra precautions such as using a VPN will help to offer an extra layer of protection.
Mobile cybersecurity is an important measure that is, unfortunately, often overlooked. Making sure to take these steps will ensure that you can reclaim your security and keep your personal information private. It will also protect your mobile device from any damage that can be caused by security breaches like viruses.
