Friday, March 29, 2024

Just Short of a Lock and Key: 5 Essentials for Your Smartphone Security

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???????????????????????????The latest smartphone models place security as a top priority. But despite all of the innovations and precautions taken to keep your information safe, incidents like theft and hacking can make it difficult on any phone. According to Marian Merritt of Norton Security, fewer than 5 percent of people have some form of security on their cell phones. If you’re one of the 95 percent that could use a little help in this area, consider these five crucial safety precautions.

1. Set a Lock

There’s no excuse for not having a smartphone lock on your device. After all, it’s a standard feature on every model. However, it can be discouraging to take this precaution when you’re forced to enter in a passcode every few minutes. Allow a delay of at least five minutes for your phone’s auto-lock, since this will help you maintain security without compromising your own convenience.

2. Download Security Apps

Apps have essentially been making smartphones a necessity since they were first developed, and they’re useful for more than just editing your photos and keeping you entertained in the post office line. Lookout mobile security is an excellent app for BlackBerry owners, which features GPS software that can track down your phone it case it’s stolen or missing. The app can even secretly take a picture of the criminal’s face with a front-facing camera and shoot the image to you — and the location where it was taken — to you via email, according to the New York Times.

3. Minimize use of Location-based Social Media

Foursquare can be fun to share your opinion of a favorite restaurant or check in at an exotic overseas destination, but beware of giving away too much information about your whereabouts on social media. Check the settings of your phone to see which of your apps have automatic access to location data and turn them off. For some apps, geolocation is obviously an important element, such as your Maps application. However, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can function just as easily without letting everyone know where you are.

4. Keep a Backup

Take advantage of the cloud whenever possible. Your smartphone should come with a feature that allows you to upload your pictures, personal files and other data to your cloud account. BlackBerry offers Box, a service that allows users to access and share their content without hassle This keeps your information safe in case your phone is ever lost, damaged or stolen so you don’t suffer from a value loss more than the phone itself.

5. Make Frequent Updates

Every time a new operating system comes out, don’t delay to have it installed on your phone. Often, these new and improved systems are designed to maximize security to keep your phone one step ahead of the hackers. Additionally, make sure to regularly update your phone’s apps, since older versions could be more vulnerable to malware and security glitches.

Smartphones today are essentially like mini computers, only they’re a lot easier to lose and a lot easier to steal. Taking security precautions can leave your phone a lot less vulnerable to these kinds of disasters, while also giving you peace of mind regarding your personal data. Apply these five security essentials to make sure you’re always prepared for potential threats.

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