Eleven Smartphone Habits to Increase Security

Eleven Smartphone Habits to Increase Security

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Feb 27, 2013

With so many smartphones in use today, people should consider being smarter about their security practices. In fact, a survey conducted by AVG Technologies of 5,000 smartphone users in the U.K., U.S., France, Germany and Brazil concluded that one in every four smartphone users store photos on their phone that could present a potential privacy problem, should the device be lost or stolen. Respondents were openly aware of data threats, with 50% recognizing that mobile devices are less secure than computers, but they still missed potential privacy implications.

CEO of AVG Technologies, JR Smith, recognized that the survey demonstrated consumer confusion about safe usage of mobile devices, and he felt that companies should educate consumers more about privacy and security.

AVG Technologies offers the following advice to assist people with the security of their smartphones:


  1. Purchase apps from reputable app stores only, such as the Google Play store or iTunes.
  2. Do not install anything that sounds too good to be true, like free ringtones or free wallpaper.
  3. Keep your phone’s operating system up-to-date.
  4. Install an anti-virus app on your smartphone.

    In addition, I think it is also important to:

  5. Set up password security on your phone.
  6. Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth. These connections can allow hackers a gateway into your phone.
  7. If you make a purchase or bank from your smartphone, be sure to log out of those sites once transactions are completed.
  8. Do not store usernames and passwords on your phone.
  9. Avoid transactions while connected to public Wi-Fi.
  10. Sync your phone’s data to your computer and/or back up everything on your phone onto a flash drive. Be sure to schedule this task based on the sensitivity and volume of data stored on your phone.
  11. When you upgrade your phone, be sure to delete all the content from your old phone. See the phone’s manual for assistance and delete contacts, personal information, call history, web search history and any saved media. *(Typically in your phone’s settings there is an option for “erase all content,” “factory data reset” or something similar.)

As an avid iPhone user, I appreciate companies that take the time to do surveys and publish the results, because it helps me to stay focused on mobile security. It’s so easy to simply pick up my smartphone and do just about anything with it; however, with a personal smartphone security plan in place, I am taking the necessary steps to protect my data as well as my identity.

Source: http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/smartphones-foolish-security-choices/240149365

 

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

  • OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Capable of Autonomously Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    According to a new study from four computer scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, OpenAI’s paid chatbot, GPT-4, is capable of autonomously exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities without any human assistance. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • ComNet CNGE6FX2TX4PoE

    The ComNet cost-efficient CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is a six-port switch that offers four Gbps TX ports that support the IEEE802.3at standard and provide up to 30 watts of PoE to PDs. It also has a dedicated FX/TX combination port as well as a single FX SFP to act as an additional port or an uplink port, giving the user additional options in managing network traffic. The CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is designed for use in unconditioned environments and typically used in perimeter surveillance. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.” 3