Essential Mobile Security Best Practices
Introduction
It’s hard to imagine a world without mobile devices. Phones, tablets, laptops—these have changed the way you interact on the Internet and with the world itself. Never again do you have to forego the ability to stay in touch with others or with the news. We’re constantly connected.
However, this constant connection to the Internet brings cybersecurity problems. Walking around with a mobile device, whether it be your personal phone or work laptop, puts a target on your back. A target many cybercriminals would love to take a shot at.
Let’s go over a few of the cybersecurity threats that threaten to compromise mobile security. Afterwards, let’s talk about ways you can defend yourself against these issues.
Cybersecurity Threats That Affect Your Mobile Device
1. Data Leaks
Data leaks prove the bane of technology. Data leaks threaten to compromise the security of everyone involved, letting free personal information about affected victims, including emails, location details, financial information, and much more.
Data leaks can start in a variety of ways, from lax security at a financial firm to malicious intent by a hacker. Mobile devices are not immune to data leaks either, and many situations have shown this. In fact, NowSecure determined that the majority of mobile software runs the risk of data leakage.
More and more data leaks are occurring, and if you don’t take care of your security on your mobile device, it’s only a matter of time until you find yourself a victim.
2. Vulnerable Wi-Fi Connections
Staying in contact no matter where you are is the big reason why mobile devices were popularized in the late 1990s, and while this portability has improved the world tenfold, it creates a new issue: vulnerable connections.
A plethora of public spaces offers free public Wi-Fi, if not all of them. This sounds great on paper (and sometimes in theory), but many of these Wi-Fi connections lack security. This is because these tend to lack a password. But even if they were to require a password, having such a large number of people on your network at one time is a security issue in-of-itself.
Plenty of cybercriminals have taken advantage of the vulnerability public networks provide. Some have even gone as far as to set up fake public networks in an effort to entice unsuspecting users.
Ways to Secure Your Mobile Device(s)
1. Taking Advantage of Security Software
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to ensure the security of mobile devices. A lot of these methods include the use of various security software (anti-virus software, anti-malware, password managers, etc.).
For example, a virtual private network (VPN) anonymizes your activity on a network and hides your IP address, allowing you to peruse the Internet on a public network without worrying about cybercriminals.
Password managers are a worthwhile investment as well. While some phones (like iPhones) allow you to store passwords in your phone/account, this isn’t exactly secure. Using a password manager to store passwords ensures the security of your passwords while keeping the convenience of Apple’s Keychain.
Also Read: Which Changes in CompTIA Security+ Certification Coming in 2020
2. Setting up a Lock Screen
One way to secure your mobile devices that many still seem to neglect despite years of having this feature available to them is the lock-screen. All phones, tablets, laptops, and other mobile devices allow you to set up a lock screen so that someone can’t simply access your phone.
If you’ve yet to set one up for your devices, do so now. Who knows when a stranger will end up stealing your devices—or at least get their hands on them for a minute or two.
Conclusion
Your phone represents more than a hub for communication and news. It is a vulnerable part of your identity—one that cyber criminals try to compromise.
Ensuring the security of your mobile devices is essential in today’s tech-ridden world, so what are you waiting for? Start securing!
