Mobile Device Security
Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have become a huge part of our lives. They allow you to call anyone in the world, watch movies, read your email, shop online, and access your bank account. These combinations of factors make mobile devices very useful; however, they can also put you at great risk. The number of users of mobile phone around the globe is projected to reach the five billion mark by 2019. This massive growth, unfortunately, sees hackers and cyber-attackers adapting and changing their methods to profit from this growing number of potential victims. Here are some steps to protect your mobile devices:• Regularly update the operating system and apps. New vulnerabilities are being discovered every day and company technicians are working to fix these problems. By updating your systems, although it may be inconvenient and time-consuming, you are arming your device with the latest security measures, eliminating some of the potential threats to your mobile device.• Only install apps that you deem necessary and ensure that they are from a legitimate, trusted source. Criminals can create apps that seem real, but that actually contain malicious programs designed to quietly take control of your devices. In these cases, the virus operates silently, so you may not even know you've been hacked. Also, avoid downloading apps that request excessive permissions, such as access to your device, location, contacts and the ability to send messages from your account.
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• Make sure your mobile device is backed up on a regular basis. This way, if something happens to the device, if it is lost or hacked, you will still be able to access your information.
• Do not jailbreak your own mobile device. Jailbreaking may allow your device to perform special functions, but that's not what your device was intended for. Not only may your device no longer be supported, but jailbreaking usually disables many of the security features that were designed to protect you and your information.
• Make sure you have anti-virus software installed and make sure it is the latest version.
• Disable Bluetooth when you are not using it. It is also important to turn off Bluetooth discoverable mode features. Attackers can use your Bluetooth to hack your device without you knowing.
• Be careful when using Wi-Fi. Many mobile devices will automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks without asking you, putting your device at risk. You never know the security settings of that Wi-Fi system or who is operating it.
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