10 Tips to Protect and Secure Your Smartphone

For many of us, the smartphone is an important part of life. We use it for shopping, socializing, watching videos, banking, and more. Modern life has become more intimate and mobile. However, this has its drawbacks. An outsider who has access to your smartphone actually has access to your entire personal life.

No one is immune from theft or loss of a smartphone; so you need to prepare in advance for possible problems. Fortunately, today there are security applications or hide status apps that can protect your smartphone and all the information in it.

Let’s consider 10 tips on how to make your smartphone more secure.

1. Lock screen

The idea of a lock screen is quite simple: if a person wants to access a smartphone, they need to enter a secret key, whether it’s a PIN, a graphic key, or a simple password. The most reliable option today is a fingerprint scanner. If your smartphone supports this feature, be sure to activate it.

2. App lock

If you want to add another layer of security, you can use the app lock. This feature is very useful for blocking banking apps or notes.

The way you block apps depends on your smartphone model. You can use a special App Lock program that allows you to set a PIN, password, or fingerprint lock on any app.

3. Log out of applications and services

It is recommended to log out of the app every time before you finish using it. You should pay special attention to banking apps and social networks. Thus, if an attacker gets physical access to your smartphone, they will not be able to conduct monetary transactions or read your personal correspondence.

4. Use a password manager

The password is the last line of defense against intruders, so you need to make sure that it is long enough, complex, and different for each account.

However, not everyone can remember a complex password. In this case, the password Manager is a lifesaver. Password managers allow you to create new passwords and save them automatically.

Password managers make it easier to re-log into apps because they automatically fill in the required authorization fields, such as username and password.

5. Use antivirus software

Smartphones are much less likely to be infected with viruses and other malware than personal computers, but they still carry a risk. An antivirus app will protect your smartphone from malicious software by scanning apps, websites, and files.

6. Don’t use unofficial app stores

There are two ways to hack a smartphone: either someone will get physical access to it, or remotely. An attacker gains remote access, usually through malware. You can avoid such programs if you use the official app stores.

Most likely, you have heard about root rights for Android devices and jailbreak for iPhone; but using these methods you are at great risk. These features are recommended for advanced users. If you are not, forget about them, otherwise problems may arise.

7. Avoid public Wi-Fi networks

Another way to get remote access to your smartphone is through unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

Public Wi-Fi is a convenient and simple solution for accessing the Internet. However, hackers can use public Wi-Fi to steal your personal data.

3G and 4G networks are considered a safer method of accessing the Internet. But it’s even better to use secure Wi-Fi networks. Make sure that the network is really protected, for example, by a password or encryption.

8. Message Encryption

If you take your personal security very seriously, you can use message encryption. Popular instant messaging applications offer functions message encryption. If you use email, you can install a specialized program, such as ProtonMail.

You can use special applications, such as Bleep, that automatically encrypt messages and delete them as soon as they are read.

9. Enable remote smartphone tracking

The Android and iOS operating systems offer a useful smartphone tracking feature that will come in handy if your smartphone is stolen or lost. Be sure to use this feature. After that, you can track where your smartphone is located on the map, as well as block or even erase all data.

10. Download apps for extra security

Android device Manager is a very useful service, but not a full-featured application.

Special apps, such as Prey Anti Theft, allow you to remotely take photos on the front and back cameras, as well as sound an alarm, even if the smartphone is in silent mode.