There are a lot of people out there in this world who would be more than happy with mobile security from theft. They’ll take it while you check out at the grocery store, they’ll snatch it when you party in VIP, they’ll even break into your home and steal the thing right off your bed!
So how can we protect our phones? We’ve got a bunch of helpful tips for making sure that no criminal gets their hands on yours.
If you’re a little paranoid about your device getting stolen, the first thing you should do is try and make it harder for someone to steal. Some phones have things called “Find My iPhone” or “Android Device Manager” programs that, if enabled, will allow you to track and hopefully retrieve your phone should it get stolen. If no security program is activated on the device, you may be able to track it using the GPS data that comes with some models. If you’ve activated the Find My iPhone option, you could track your phone, get a map of where it is and even have it ring, so that if you don’t have it with you, it’s not hard to tell that something is wrong.
If you can’t activate the Find My iPhone option, there are still a few more things you can do to stop your device from being stolen phone. The first thing to do is to set your screen lock. If it can’t be unlocked, then it can’t be used by someone else. You should also set a passcode. If you don’t want to do that, at least change the factory setting so that your phone doesn’t stay on and running when you turn it off. If someone steals your phone and turns it off, they’ll have to turn it back on in order to check out the contents of your device.
Mobile users are typically not as security conscious as desktop users. We’re more concerned with other people looking at our screens while we’re browsing through Instagram or texting with friends than what happens if someone steals our phone and gets access to everything. But the truth is, mobile devices are just as vulnerable to mobile security from theft and loss, and there’s a ton of private data stored on them that could be compromised if hackers get their hands on it. So, if you don’t have a mobile device security plan in place yet, it’s time to start.
What kind of data do I have?
Now that your phone is connected to the Internet, it has access to all of the personal information stored on your computer and backup media. Not only does this include confidential information such as bank and medical records but also can include your Social Security number and any other important numbers.
If you’re storing personal information on your phone, it should be protected with mobile privacy apps such as Confide. Confide works by sending your text messages to a random person that you designate, so no one will ever know who sent what. This helps block the public from getting access to information stored in your phone and prevents hackers from getting involved. Click here for more information about Confide.
What kind of data can be stolen?
There are a number of ways that your personal information can be stolen phone including:
Email – Hackers often try to steal your email address and/or password. While there are a number of ways to protect yourself from email phishing scams, it’s important to make sure that you’re not storing any confidential information, such as your Social Security number or health records, in an easily accessible email account. Click here for more information about how to protect yourself against email phishing scams.