Securing your Mobile Devices

Mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets have become a major part of a lot of our lives. Devices including Android phones, Iphones, and Ipads can do just about anything a normal computer can do, so they are vulnerable to most of the same things. Many people also link their mobile device to their work somehow. If you have your work email connected to your phone or tablet, chances are that you have private and/or confidential data on your device.

With the rise of popularity of these mobile devices, hackers have begun to target them. Some viruses will have your phone make calls to premium numbers thereby directly giving hackers your money. Other viruses will steal your phone or email contacts making spammers jobs that much easier. As stated above, your phone may have private and/or confidential data and you would be surprised how much that information can be worth to some people.

There are things you can do to protect yourself.

1. The first thing you should do is set a screen lock for your phone. Usually the options for this is require a pattern, pin, or password to unlock your phone. The pattern is the least secure of these options while the password is the most secure.
2. Download an antivirus program. While these programs are not as sophisticated as the AV programs on your PC, they do a great job. Most of the major AV companies provide mobile protection so you can pick your favorite. There are also free choices as well as paid programs.
3. Download the Lookout Security https://www.mylookout.com/ mobile app. This is a free app that can also provide premium services for a fee. The services are:
• Scanning Apps for Malware or Spyware. This is done as you download apps and on-demand.
• Data Backup. Regular backup of your data.
• Missing device protection. This service can locate, lock, scream or even wipe your device in the event is goes missing. This is done from the Lookout website.
• Privacy Adviser (Premium). This will scan your apps and let you know what information they can access.
• Safe Browsing (Premium). This will help protect you from malicious content will browsing the web.
4. Review the permissions you are giving an app when downloading it. If your downloading a magazine app and one of the permissions include making calls or reading contact information, this can indicate a problem. Use your best judgement when downloading apps. You should also do some research before downloading apps on your phone or tablet.

By taking these simple steps, you can have the peace of mind knowing that data belonging to you, your employer and even your customers and business partners are more secure.