It is no secret that I am a bit of a klutz. I lose things, drop things and misplace things on a daily basis.
And nothing bears the brunt of this more than my mobile phone. I am on my third phone so far this year. I lost the first and dropped the second!
Just like the other billions of mobile users in the world, my mobile plays a key role in managing my life. It helps me stay in touch, take photos, shop, bank, listen to music and socialise. Without doubt, it is one of my most valuable assets – apart from my children, of course!
Whether we lose a phone, become victim to a mobile phishing scam or nasty mobile spyware, it is essential that we have some protection in place to minimise the consequences.
Here are my top tips to help you secure your precious mobile:
- Always lock your device with a PIN or Password. And configure it to lock after a certain period of time.
- Only download apps from trusted sources.
- Back up your data.
- Ensure your phone’s software is updated – this ensures you have the latest security updates.
- Don’t jailbreak or root your device – it will undermine its built in security.
- Always log out of banking and shopping sites – in case your device is stolen.
- Turn off Wi-Fi, BlueTooth and location services when not in use – cybercriminals can access your info if your connection is not secure.
- Avoid texting or emailing personal information – in case the sender is not legitimate or your phone gets stolen.
- Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails or texts – don’t risk virus or malware contamination!
- And very importantly, get some mobile security protection. A comprehensive solution will protect your device from viruses and spyware, allow you to track your phone if lost or stolen and remotely wipe your device. It will also give you safe searching guidelines and allow you to backup and restore your data.
Still not convinced? A McAfee study showed that 28% of content on your phone including your photos, music and contacts (aka your digital assets) won’t be able to be replaced if you lose your phone.*
So, even if you aren’t a klutz (like me), you absolutely need to spend a little time securing your mobile phone. I know I can’t afford to lose another 28% of my digital assets – there wouldn’t be anyone left to call!
*McAfee Digital Assets Survey 2011