It's no secret that mobile phones have become indispensable and almost irreplaceable parts of our daily lives. Relying on smartphones for multiple facets of life, from online banking and collaboration on work projects to connecting with friends and family across the globe and growing a brand—with everything in between—is nothing new.
Mobile Security Is a Growing Concern
It's fair to say that the estimated 6.92 billion smartphone owners worldwide (85.74% of the world's population) rarely think about the security risks that come with such convenience at their fingertips. When using our phones, we don't necessarily think about the risks of them being hacked or compromised whenever we go to use them for a specific purpose. Our intention for picking up our devices and using them is rarely met with hesitation, and the fact that mobile devices, prime targets for cybercriminals hiding in the depths of the Internet, wouldn't be our top concern or priority.
Yet the statistics don't lie—it's reported that 30.8% of all cyberattacks worldwide are carried out on mobile devices, whether it's the result of malicious software installations or a physical device breach. Mobile phones contain a wealth of sensitive information—both personal and financial—which, coupled with the high price tag of newer, innovative models, makes them easy prey for opportunistic criminals. Not all attacks involve someone snatching the device out of your hands when your attention is diverted—some involve more methodical methods that can easily bypass standard security measures.
Given the proliferation of mobile technology and innovative attack methods, it begs the question of how we, as everyday mobile phone users, can improve our resilience and security. There are, fortunately, some simple precautions we can all take to lock down our security and better safeguard our data.
What if Your Phone Is Owned and Overseen by Your Workplace?
Whether you own a single personal device or if you have several company-owned phones, safety should never take a backseat or be overlooked. Organizations should consider investing in enterprise-grade security solutions, ranging from vulnerability management to penetration testing services, to uncover weaknesses in their infrastructure and all connected devices. However, for the everyday user, this may be too costly or resource-intensive, so where does that leave you?
Fear not because, with the help of these five easy-to-implement mobile tricks, you can dramatically boost your protection against device theft and malicious attacks.
1. Use a Screen Lock
Alarmingly, not all users will set up screen locks, and considering the known exploitation of Google Pixel locks highlighted last year, it would be prudent to set one up.
Whether it's entering a complex pattern, PIN code, password, or simply verifying your fingerprint, it means that your phone is unable to be accessed by anybody in passing. This level of security offers a healthy balance between protection and convenience.
Alphanumeric passwords, multi-digit PIN codes, and fingerprint patterns may, on the surface, feel like an unnecessary hassle, but they're crucial for keeping your phone data secure at the first hurdle.
No matter which you choose, any screen lock is far better than leaving your device unlocked.
2. Scrutinize App Permissions
All mobile apps request access to certain features and data to function properly, with some apps asking for permissions that could, at first impression, present privacy and security concerns if allowed.
While it can be tempting to grant permissions to all apps as a means to start using them more quickly, it's crucial to inspect what capabilities the app is asking for. Does it really need access to your contacts, location, SMS, photos, microphone, or other sensitive features? If not, review and reassess what apps have access to your built-in features and data.
Disable and revoke any that don't seem needed for the app's functionality. With GDPR and data protection proving to be an increasingly hot topic, you cannot afford to overlook data privacy in mobile apps.
3. Enable Remote Wiping
Having the ability to remotely wipe all data from your device if it's lost or stolen is a valuable security tool, but you can also use this if the device is compromised somehow. Options like Find My iPhone and Android Device Manager allow remote wiping via a website, which, if you can access it quickly enough, can eliminate all data, restoring it to factory settings.
This protects your sensitive information if your device falls into the wrong hands by letting you instantly erase everything on it. Someone may be lurking within your phone, but once you initiate the wipe request, you'll have peace of mind knowing your data is safe and won't be able to be exploited further. Just be sure to have a recent backup if you do need to wipe a device remotely.
4. Keep Your Device Up-to-Date
Mobile operating systems and apps frequently issue updates to fix bugs and vulnerabilities and add new features. However, many users delay or overlook these updates, often finding them disruptive when trying to use their phones.
To maximize security, enable automatic updates on your device if possible. When notifications appear for OS or app updates, promptly install them. Updates patch known security flaws that hackers could otherwise exploit.
When buying a new device, newer models tend to get the latest updates for longer than older versions. So, purchasing a recent device can help maintain protection via updates over time.
5. Avoid Public WiFi for Specific Tasks
Public WiFi networks at coffee shops, hotels, airports, and other locations are convenient for general web browsing on our mobile devices. But avoid using them for sensitive transactions like banking, shopping, or accessing company data. Public WiFi often lacks encryption or other security controls. This allows hackers to more easily intercept your data more easily, steal account credentials, or infiltrate your device with malware.
For any activity involving personal information, passwords, or payment details, use a secure private WiFi or cellular data connection instead of public WiFi. This makes it much harder for bad actors to "eavesdrop" on your activity.
Additional Security Layers
The previous tips focus on basic precautions available on any mobile device. For enhanced protection, you can consider adding further security layers like these:
• Mobile anti-malware apps – Scan for and remove malware or suspicious apps. Popular options include Malwarebytes, AVG, Avast, and Lookout.
• VPN services – Encrypt data and disguise your IP address on public networks. Leading providers like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and TunnelBear have mobile apps that are easy to use.
• Password managers – Securely save strong, complex passwords and auto-fill them on apps and sites. Top choices like LastPass, 1Password, and BitWarden have mobile versions that only require entering a master password to access, without you having to remember each one for a specific login or tool.
• Two-factor authentication – Add an extra verification step like a texted code, email, or biometric verification step with each login. This prevents attackers from accessing accounts with only your password, which is a known common entry point.
Stay Proactive About Mobile Security
Following these basic mobile safety precautions will put you ahead of the curve in thwarting cybercrime attempts on your mobile devices. Avoid being lulled into complacency by the convenience of smartphones and tablets; spending a few minutes taking some pivotal security steps can save you a world of trouble down the road.
