With the convenience of mobile phones and gadgets come mobile security issues. However, you can keep yourself and your company’s network safe, if you practice healthy mobile security hygiene.
Mobile Security Issues Safety
Here are tips on how you can keep yourself safe from these mobile security issues.
1. Be wary of the apps you install.
Take the time to research any apps you download or install on your device. For instance, if you want to download a game app, check out the developer’s website first to see what other apps they have. If they have a lot of games, then it’s likely that the app you’re about to download is safe. Also, look for any comments or ratings by other users as well as the app’s privacy policy.
The privacy policy states what data is collected and how it will be used. If the app developer has obnoxious terms and policies, chances are they won’t exercise good judgment with your data as well.
2. Only download apps from a trusted source.
If you find a great app that is on Google Play Store or Apple App Store, then you should feel safe downloading it. These two app stores have strict guidelines for developers to follow. However, you can still run into issues even with apps that are approved by the app stores. For example, you might accidentally download a knockoff version of an app, which could be infected with malware.
The best way to avoid this issue is to download apps directly from the developer’s website or use third-party companies, which provide “clean” versions of popular apps without the clutter of ads. If an app looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
3. Use a VPN.
Even though public Wi-Fi networks are convenient, they can leave you vulnerable to attacks. Using a virtual private network (VPN) will encrypt your data and protect it from being stolen or intercepted. You can also use a VPN to connect remotely to your company’s network from a public space.
4. Don’t access the web on a public Wi-Fi network.
If you need to do some online shopping or check your bank account, then don’t do it from a public Wi-Fi network. Hackers can use public networks to access your device; and steal your personal information or install malicious apps on your device.
If you must do this, make sure you only connect to websites that use HTTPS or have a padlock symbol in the address bar. This will ensure that you are connected to a secure version of the website, which is encrypted and more difficult for hackers to access.
5. Don’t jailbreak or root your phone unless you need to.
If you use an iPhone, then there is no need to “jailbreak” it because Apple doesn’t allow users to install third-party apps on the official App Store. So if you want to install third-party apps, then don’t jailbreak your device as this opens up your phone to malware attacks and other security issues.
The same goes for tablets and smartphones running the Android operating system as well as those running Windows Phone operating system. On the other hand, if you absolutely must jailbreak or root your device, then make sure that you know what you’re doing and that the risk is worth the reward for doing so before proceeding with this action.
