Some Tips for Enhancing Mobile Phone Security

Mobile phones are known to be threat-magnets, but the last few years sure have seen a significant rise in their tribulations. Hacking incidents have surged as even some of most secure platforms have failed to hold their own against the relentless attacks of malevolent geniuses. Of course, simply owning a mobile device puts you at greater risk than before as well because of its integration in your personal, financial, and professional matters.

This does not mean that you should just sit idle and wait for the inevitable to happen because as it so happens, you can actually defy the odds. You simply need to vamp up your mobile phone’s security, which does sound like a complex endeavor but is actually quite the contrary.

If you aren’t too familiar with various precautionary measures and security tools, don’t fret because we have outlined the best options for you below.

VPNs to the Rescue

Virtual private networks (VPN) have really grown in popularity in recent years. The reason behind it is that people have become more conscious of their privacy and security than ever, the credit or blame for which goes to former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden. When activated, VPN masks your current IP address and establishes a secure connection between your device and a new server that is typically located at an entirely different location. This effectively puts your data out of snoopers’ reach.

In the midst of all the reports coming in about growing hacking threats and mass surveillance by governments, a lot of people are opting to download VPN apps on their mobile devices to retain online privacy and security. The measure seems to be working great so far, though it’s hard to predict how long it will hold up for before hackers and government agencies succeed in circumventing it.

Antivirus Keeps Malware at Bay

Antivirus is a great way to increase smartphone security. They are always on the hunt for malicious content and on most occasions, they get rid of it before the latter can sneak into your smartphone. However, they can’t do it all alone. Your role is vital for defeating the threat.

Tapping the update button is arguably your biggest responsibility. New viruses are created and introduced into the online stream every day, and to counter those viruses, security app vendors roll out new updates for their product and virus definitions on a frequent basis. If you don’t download them as soon as possible, then you have no one but yourself to blame for your mobile phone’s increased susceptibility to malware.

The Importance of App Permissions

Reading app permissions is a boring task. We know it, you know it, and anyone who has ever owned a smartphone knows it. However, it can be a huge mistake to undermine the importance of doing that. A lot of hackers rely on their target’s carelessness and negligence for the success of their attack. Due to the strict policies of app stores, they’re compelled to disclose all the phone features that their malicious app is going to be accessing once downloaded, and on many occasions, it alone can be sufficient to expose them for what they truly are. This is why thoroughly going through the permissions sought is so crucial.

Remote Wipe Feature is a Must

Remote wipe basically is a feature that allows you to remove each and everything from your phone without having to physically access it. In case your device gets stolen or is lost, this is the only way out. Anyone who gets their hands on your device may misuse your personal or sensitive data that may be stored on it. With the remote wipe app or feature enabled, you will not have anything to worry about.

Avoid Saving Passwords on Phone

Mobile phones offer users the convenience of storing passwords for different social networking and email accounts or apps. However, this can lead to a series of complication in case the device gets compromised. Once hackers take control of the device, they are able to access all your personal accounts and wreck quite a bit of havoc in your personal and professional life. Therefore, it is advised that you refrain from saving passwords on your mobile phone.

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