Tips for Mobile Security
We all know that a person that says, “I can’t live without my phone” and chances are, we can all relate to that statement. We utilize our smartphones for everything including banking, shopping and even storing passwords. The incentive for attacking a mobile device is growing for attackers and the data is showing it with attacks on mobile devices increasing 50% in 2023 from 22,255,956 to 33,790,599 attacks (Kaspersky Report ). So, what can we do to safeguard our most prized possession? Below are a few tips to help reduce your overall exposure and hopefully keep the “crown jewels” stored on your phone from anyone else other than yourself.
Implement a Password/Passcode on Your Phone
This should be the first thing you do when you set up your new phone. This is the first layer of security when someone other than yourself picks up your phone and wants to look through your phone. There are many options so choose the best one for you. Below are all valuable and not an exhausting list.
Password
Passcode
Facial recognition
Fingerprint
Swipe Pattern
Turn Off Unused Services
Your phone comes with tons of bells and whistles from Bluetooth to wireless power sharing. Chances are you do not use a substantial portion of the features on your phone and that is okay, phones these days have more options than we will every need; they are the technology version of a Swiss army knife. However, those features are more than likely running in the background hoping one day you decide to dust them off the bench and put them in the starting lineup. Until that day comes, you should turn them off. Most phones have a touch option for turning features on and off so just browse through and turn off the main items you do not need. For example, if you never use your phone for apple or Samsung pay, then there more than likely is not a need for having near field communication (NFC) turned on. These simple features are just additional attack channels that threat actors are looking for. Routinely review what you have turned on and turn them off if they are no longer needed; bonus, this helps your phone’s batter life also.
Limit Wireless Connections to Only Trusted Sources and Avoid Public Wi-Fi
We have all been out at a restaurant or a hotel and needed a stronger internet connection, so what do we do? we connect to the free Wi-Fi offered at the establishment we are at. While this is a convenient option it might not be your best option. Often than not, the “free” wireless is not properly setup, or it is setup and forgotten about. Leading to individuals taking over wireless connections or hanging out on the network and routing connections through their devices, capturing everyone’s personal data as it leaves the building. The best option is to only connect to Wi-Fi that you trust and know is safe to use.
Trusted Apps and Permission Use
Reframe from installing untrusted apps outside of the phone manufacturers App store (Apple Appstore or Android Playstore). The applications that are in each of the manufacture’s app stores go through a bit more testing and assurance to limit potential malware. While this is not full proof, it is much safer than just downloading an app from an email or web-browser. When you are looking at apps in your app store, pay attention to the ones that have ads. The apps that have lots of ads can lead to installation adware or even worse, spyware. When you install an application, and the permission options pop up, do not just provide full permission. Review what options are available for you to restrict. Not all apps need access to your contacts, locations, camera, microphone...etc. Limiting access to what the application has permission to is going to limit the amount of data it can collect about you. This helps with things like habits and information on your phone, staying on your phone.
Install that Update When it Becomes Available
We are all guilty of hitting the ignore button when we see that dreadful “An update is available” on our phones. Those 10 minutes of being offline is the longest 10 minutes since before the invention of smartphones. But that update may provide security features and patches for bugs we know nothing about yet. When vulnerabilities become discovered, phone manufacturers push the fixes via patches to your phone via updates. So, by skipping it, or ignoring it, you may just be walking around with a phone that is susceptible to someone attacking it while it is in your pocket or even your hand.
We’re Here to Help!
While this is not an exhaustive list, the items listed above are commonly overlooked items that if implemented, can reduce your phone from being exposed to a threat actor, and reduce your chances of your information being tracked or worse, stolen.
If you want to learn more, we’re ready to help. Please stop by any of our convenient branch locations or call (540) 389-0244 to speak with a team member today.
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Each individual’s financial situation is unique and readers are encouraged to contact the Credit Union when seeking financial advice on the products and services discussed. This article is for educational purposes only; the authors assume no legal responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the contents.