Today, our mobile phones are an extension of our brains. Don’t let anyone there.
Let’s take a moment to think about all the things we do with mobile phones. If you are like most people, your phone may at least connect to your email, social media accounts, browser, photos, and text messages. Depending on other factors, it may also be connected to online dating apps, personal messages between you and your loved ones, other messaging apps, all your contacts…. And those are just things that immediately come to mind.
Since all this very personal-and usually professional-information is stored on our phones, you would think we would better protect them. But the truth is that most of us are not. Whether out of ignorance or not wanting to cause inconvenience to you, too many people are taking security shortcuts, making them vulnerable to theft or invasion of privacy.
Therefore, even if you think your phone is completely safe, please check this list of six methods to make sure it is true.
Make sure your phone is locked
See, it’s tempting to lock the phone screen off, especially when you consider that many of us Spend up to five hours a day on the phone. If you are a person who frequently checks your phone, it may seem troublesome to enter a PIN code or draw an unlock pattern.
However, the lock screen is your phone’s first line of defense. Think of it as a lock on your front door. If you open it, is it possible that someone will pass through and steal everything? No. Is this more likely than you just opened the lock? right. So why take the risk?
If you are a heavy user of mobile phones, some mobile phones can choose to remain unlocked when you are at home. However, if you are out and about, be sure to set a PIN code (six digits is enough-it’s too hard to remember), design or enable biometric unlocking, such as your fingerprint or face ID.
Set up multi-factor authentication
If you haven’t Set up multi-factor authentication On every account that provides it, stop reading immediately and do it. Multi-factor authentication requires a code sent to you via text message, email, or authenticator app. It also requires a password to access any programs or accounts it protects.
Although it is not as useful for phone security as it is for laptops or desktops-because messages will be sent to your phone, if someone owns your phone, they will receive your message-this is still an important step to take protection Your data. Basically, the more steps between your data and the attacker, the better.
Take encryption seriously
Most popular smartphones come with built-in encryption-check this comparison chart to see how different phones rank in a series of security issues.However, if you want to add another layer of encryption on top of the content provided by your phone, especially for network traffic, it’s worth studying High-quality virtual private network (VPN). VPN Encrypt any communication between your phone and the network it is connected to, making it an excellent way to protect your data, even if the data is not directly on your phone.
Download only from reliable sources
We know it’s tempting to download this cute new game, but it’s worth doing due diligence before downloading anything-because it may be more than you planned. In fact, in the summer of 2021, Avast researchers began tracking a piece of malware that targeted “cracked” (ie, illegal) games.Is called Kraknosh, The malware silently contains a Monero coin mining machine, which enables criminals to use the game player’s system to mine cryptocurrency.
Avast researchers also discovered a piece of malware called BloodyStealer, which not only steals cookies, usernames, passwords, and financial information, but also steals game sessions. So: only download from trusted sources and do some research. Remember: anything you download from rough sources may place spyware on your phone.
Consider app permissions
Apps need permission to perform certain operations in order to run, but some unethical companies use app permissions to gather more information about you, rather than the information they really need. Don’t automatically click “Yes” on each application permission, spend a minute thinking about whether they really need that thing to run. For example, Google Maps definitely needs to know your location, but do brain games really need to access your photos? maybe not.
Please do not click the link without confirmation
Phishing plan It is on the rise. From June 2021 to October 2021, the risk of individuals being phished increased by 20%.Phishing uses social engineering to get people to click on malicious links installed malicious software Or voluntarily hand over their personal information, such as passwords and login names.
One way cybercriminals can get you is to send a link that appears to be from someone you know, but that’s not the case. Before clicking on links (in your phone or browser), use your best judgment without first confirming that they are from who they say they are. Even if it looks like it comes from your boss, your spouse or your mom-just give them a quick call or ping them on another messaging service.
Although these six things seem very troublesome, it only takes a few days to develop new and safer habits. Isn’t it worth it? Today, our mobile phones are an extension of our brains. Don’t let anyone in.
