This is guest post by Amanda Tradwick about making your phone hacker free. Smart phones have become like small laptops for many of us: We use them to store pictures and videos, to access our online accounts, and to keep other personal data such as passwords and financial information. Unfortunately, storing so much personal data on our phones makes them bigger targets for hackers trying to steal that data. Just as you would for your home computer, there are steps you must take to secure your phone and protect your information. Here are a few things you can do to make your smart phone more secure:
Use a Strong Password
The first line of defense for your phone is to restrict access to it by setting a strong password. You can set a password to enable the phone, one to access voicemail, and one to access e-mail or other apps. When you create your password, be sure to use a phrase instead of a simple word, a combination of letters and numbers (or other special characters), and upper- and lower-case letters. Do not use a series of sequential or repeating numbers, common personal information such as birth dates or addresses, or simple words that can be found in the dictionary.
Turn of Apps and Features Your Aren’t Using
One common technique that hackers have used to gain access to cell-phone data is to use Wi-Fi connection spots to access open applications that use GPS and link to your phone. Hackers can use these open apps to gain access to information such as call records, texts, photos, and other personal data that be stored on or linked to your phone. You can protect this weakness on your phone by closing any applications or features that you aren’t currently using. Do not assume that you will be logged out once you stop using the app.
Be Alert to Phishing
Phishing has evolved beyond e-mail and is now a common tactic used in text messaging to try to access data. If you receive a text from a number that you do not recognize, do not click on any links within the text and do not reply to it. These texts may be sent in an attempt to access your data. Simply erase the text and block the number.
Install Anti-Virus Software
Apps and software are now available to help protect your phone from viruses and other
malware and spyware. Taking the time to install one of these protective programs will allow you to browse the Web and check your e-mail more securely. Be sure to install a trusted program with a known reputation and to update it often for protection against new viruses.
Install a Remote Wipe App
If your phone is every stolen, you can protect the data on it through a remote application installed on your computer that is connected to your phone. This app will allow you to wipe all the data on your phone through your computer. Of course, to ensure that you don’t lose the data forever, you should back up any valuable information on your computer long before this happens. Keeping your phone and your personal information safe from hackers is as simple as taking these steps and practicing safe browsing habits. Also be sure to change your password regularly, never to share your data with sites you don’t know and trust, and to only access your data on a secured network.
About the author:
Amanda Tradwick is a grant researcher and writer for CollegeGrants.org. She has a
Bachelor's degrees from the University of Delaware, and has recently finished research on school grants for low income and college grants in new york.
Use a Strong Password
The first line of defense for your phone is to restrict access to it by setting a strong password. You can set a password to enable the phone, one to access voicemail, and one to access e-mail or other apps. When you create your password, be sure to use a phrase instead of a simple word, a combination of letters and numbers (or other special characters), and upper- and lower-case letters. Do not use a series of sequential or repeating numbers, common personal information such as birth dates or addresses, or simple words that can be found in the dictionary.
Turn of Apps and Features Your Aren’t Using
One common technique that hackers have used to gain access to cell-phone data is to use Wi-Fi connection spots to access open applications that use GPS and link to your phone. Hackers can use these open apps to gain access to information such as call records, texts, photos, and other personal data that be stored on or linked to your phone. You can protect this weakness on your phone by closing any applications or features that you aren’t currently using. Do not assume that you will be logged out once you stop using the app.
Be Alert to Phishing
Phishing has evolved beyond e-mail and is now a common tactic used in text messaging to try to access data. If you receive a text from a number that you do not recognize, do not click on any links within the text and do not reply to it. These texts may be sent in an attempt to access your data. Simply erase the text and block the number.
Install Anti-Virus Software
Apps and software are now available to help protect your phone from viruses and other
malware and spyware. Taking the time to install one of these protective programs will allow you to browse the Web and check your e-mail more securely. Be sure to install a trusted program with a known reputation and to update it often for protection against new viruses.
Install a Remote Wipe App
If your phone is every stolen, you can protect the data on it through a remote application installed on your computer that is connected to your phone. This app will allow you to wipe all the data on your phone through your computer. Of course, to ensure that you don’t lose the data forever, you should back up any valuable information on your computer long before this happens. Keeping your phone and your personal information safe from hackers is as simple as taking these steps and practicing safe browsing habits. Also be sure to change your password regularly, never to share your data with sites you don’t know and trust, and to only access your data on a secured network.
About the author:
Amanda Tradwick is a grant researcher and writer for CollegeGrants.org. She has a
Bachelor's degrees from the University of Delaware, and has recently finished research on school grants for low income and college grants in new york.
Technology Blog
Comments
Post a Comment