Don’t be dumb. That’s the message here. I’m not referring to your intelligence but rather to how you’re using your smart devices. BUT do you know what information is being collected? Do you understand the terminology and industry jargon? It’s important to be aware of possible hack threats and carelessness. There are so many ways smartphone security can be compromised which could majorly impact your lifestyle. So in this blog post, I will teach you how to lock down your device and maintain privacy, security, and safety for yourself and your sensitive data.
Always Use A Password On Your Lock Screen
The best way to protect your phone is to set a password. This is the first step in securing your phone because anyone can get into it if you don’t have a password.
You should make sure that your smartphone has a lock screen. A lock screen will protect your phone from unauthorized access. The most common types of locks are:
Password
The passwords are the first line of defense for your phone. Make them strong and unique. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using anything that can be easily guessed or is related to you (e.g., birthdays).
Patterns
You may have seen these before on other devices. They’re just a series of shapes and lines you draw on the screen with your finger. It’s fairly easy to break into someone else’s pattern lock, but it takes more time than other types of locks, so it’s better than nothing.
FaceID
FaceID uses the front-facing camera to scan your face and confirm your identity before unlocking your phone. This method isn’t foolproof — there are ways to fool it or unlock it without using your face — but it’s probably the safest option if you want to keep your data private.
Thumb/finger impression
The fingerprint scanner on your phone is a good way to unlock it quickly. However, this security feature can also be exploited by someone who has access to your device. Therefore, it’s important that you set up a password on your lock screen to prevent unauthorized access to your device if someone steals it or gets physical access to it while you’re sleeping or away from it for some time.
Don’t Access Untrusted Networks Without Virtual Private Networks (VPN) Installed
A VPN creates a secure connection between you and the internet, protecting your data from anyone who might be watching. If you are going to access a network you don’t trust, make sure you have virtual private networks installed on your device. VPNs encrypt all your traffic, making it impossible for hackers to steal your information. So when next time you connect to an unknown network, make sure to install a VPN first.
Suppose you use a public WiFi network at a coffee shop or hotel. In that case, anyone on that WiFi network could see what websites you’re visiting or what data is being sent back and forth between your device and the internet. That’s because these networks are not secure; they don’t protect your privacy by encrypting your data or blocking hackers from stealing your passwords and other sensitive information.
To protect yourself from these risks, install a VPN on all your devices before connecting to an untrusted network like public WiFi hotspots at hotels or coffee shops. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your computer or device and the website you’re trying to access — meaning no one can monitor or track what sites you visit on the internet when connected through a VPN service provider like ExpressVPN.
Keep Changing Your Passwords
Passwords are the gateway to your online life. You use them to log into your email accounts, social media profiles, and online banking accounts. And because most people use the same password for all of their accounts, they can easily access them if someone gets ahold of your password.
Changing your passwords regularly is one of the best ways to protect yourself from hackers, who often try out passwords on multiple sites until they find one that works. You should change your passwords at least once every three months (some experts say every six months is better). And if you’re using the same password for multiple accounts, change them all at once — that way, you don’t have to remember different accounts.
Avoid Using Public WiFi Networks
Public WiFi is a great convenience for those who need to get work done on their smartphone or tablet. However, it can also be dangerous if you’re not careful. But the main issue with public WiFi is that it doesn’t encrypt your data. If a hacker was to gain access to your connection, they could see everything you’re doing online. Even if they aren’t malicious and only want some entertainment, they could still use your Internet connection to watch YouTube videos or surf the web without your knowledge.
If you must use public WiFi networks, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself:
Avoid using public WiFi networks whenever possible; instead, connect directly through your mobile carrier’s network or at home via wired Ethernet. Use a VPN service that encrypts all your network traffic (so only those with access to the VPN server will be able to see what websites you visit). Some services like Hotspot Shield and TunnelBear offer free versions of their software for this purpose; others like NordVPN charge a small monthly fee for unlimited use but still offer free trials.
Be Careful About The Apps You Download and Install
A research study has revealed that there are over a billion apps on Google Play Store, and over 2 million mobile applications have been downloaded daily. This means there are some good apps out there but also many bad ones.
Be Careful About The Apps You Download and Install:
- Do a background check before downloading any app, especially if it is free.
- Check the permissions required by an app before downloading it. If the app asks for too many permissions at once, it could be because it is doing something shady or malicious. For example, if an app asks for access to your contacts without providing any reason for needing them, then stay away!
- Don’t install apps from unknown sources or untrusted websites like pirated or cracked APKs (Android Package Kit) because these can contain malware and viruses that can steal your personal information or data from your device without your knowledge.
