Smartphone Safety
Most of us carry a smartphone with us everywhere we go – and it is probably the single most valuable possession on our person. Whether you are an iPhone or an Android user, today’s smartphones are exceedingly high-powered computers representing the cutting edge of both hardware and software technology.
A new handset can easily cost hundreds of dollars, even if we paid far less due to operator subsidies to get us to choose their networks. But the true value of a handset is not just its actual replacement cost as a piece of equipment, but the vast quantity of personal data we have stored inside our devices.
From personal phone numbers and family photos to access to all our credit cards and bank accounts via apps and automatic password storage, if your phone falls into the wrong hands, it is not just the phone you need to be concerned about replacing.
So how do we protect our important electronic companion? Here are some top tips to stay safe in the smartphone world.
Start with the basics – lock your smartphone. Whether you use a personal number, swipe a pattern, use fingerprints or facial recognition, make sure your phone is not left open.
That said – if the option to put in a restricted emergency use number is there, it can be worth doing that. If you genuinely drop your phone and it is locked, there is no real way anyone can return it to you if they find it – but they may be able to call an emergency number.
Watch out for phishing texts and emails asking you to verify bank account details – reputable businesses do not work this way. If you are unsure, contact the bank or credit card company yourself to check so you are in control of the information.
Be careful with downloading apps – there are a lot out there and not all are from reputable outlets. As a guideline, stick to the Google Play or Apple Store, as apps there are vetted by those companies. Check out reviews before downloading and be careful what permissions you allow apps to have in your phone. Many of us just click ‘accept’ and unwittingly give someone else a huge degree of access to our phone’s data.
Back up your data – there are many ways to do this and most phone manufacturers and phone networks have their own versions, as well as other options like Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive. If you lose or damage your phone you can lose all your information – contacts, messages, pictures, music - but if it is safely backed up somewhere it is just a case or downloading it again.
Keep your phone updated – the main operating system and key apps are often updated with newer versions, which often increase security on your device, as well as adding new features and services.
Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you are not using them – while they connect you to the outside world, it can work in reverse too and the outside world can connect to you through these protocols.
