Best Practices for Mobile Device Security
In today’s continuously connected society, mobile devices have become an essential component to our existence. They provide us with ease, connectivity and an abundance of information available right at our fingertips. However, having this increased connection comes with inherent security dangers.As our reliance on mobile devices increases, so does the need to safeguard our personal and sensitive information from cybercriminals. Possible cyberattacks on mobile devices can take many forms that expose our private information, from malware infections and phishing scams to device theft or loss.
What is Mobile Device Security?
Mobile device security is a term used to describe the processes and procedures put in place to secure sensitive information stored and transmitted by laptops, smartphones, tablets, wearables and other portable devices.
To help ensure your safety, we’ve prepared a short list of best practices to keep your mobile devices secure.
✓ Back Up Your Data
Be sure to back up your data on a regular basis to an external device or a secure cloud storage service. This guarantees that you can get your data back in the event that your device becomes lost, stolen or damaged.
✓ Ensure Free Wi-Fi is Protected
Most public or free Wi-Fi is not encrypted. These open networks enable fraudsters to eavesdrop on network traffic and swiftly obtain passwords, usernames and other private information. It only takes a few seconds for a trained cybercriminal to get your data into the wrong hands.
✓ Restart Your Mobile Device
The National Security Agency (NSA) recommends that all iPhone and Android users restart their mobile devices at least once a week. This simple yet effective measure will help mitigate the risk of cyberattacks on your mobile device.
Click here to check out the NSA’s Mobile Device Best Practices tool sheet designed to help mobile device users protect their personal devices and information.
✓ Turn User Authentication On
Make sure that all your mobile devices have the screen lock turned on and they require a password, PIN or biometrics (fingerprint or face recognition) to gain entry.
✓ Update Your Operating Systems
If you are using software that is outdated, you are putting yourself at risk! Vendors constantly issue security patches to stay ahead of security risks. Do not ignore those alerts when it is time to install an update.
Mobile device security is crucial to protecting the data stored on your mobile devices. By implementing these best practices, you can reduce the risk and protect yourself from the potentially devastating consequences of a cyberattack.
Ensuring that your mobile devices are secure sure can be challenging, but it should be a priority. As new vulnerabilities are discovered on a daily basis, it is critical that users are vigilant for any suspicious activity their device.