Your Guide to Smartphone Security: 10 Must-Dos

Smartphones are a lifeline for many people navigating their daily routines. Whether you use your mobile device for banking, emails, work, fitness, or simple entertainment, people use their phones now more than ever. By the end of 2021, 6.64 billion people, or 83.07% of the world’s population, owned a smartphone, encompassing the vast majority of the 90.72% of people that own a mobile device globally.

Given the massive amount of people who own smartphones and the sensitive information often stored on these devices, phone security is a hot topic covering various dangers that can occur with the increased use of smartphones globally. Keeping your phone and data secure from crime and breaches is vital. Still, many people need to know the primary offences to look out for and the proper steps to guarantee robust security.

This article will clear up any confusion about smartphone security and offer top-quality must-dos to safeguard your private information through wise security measures.

Reports of stolen phones, hacking, data breaches and other cybercrime have become increasingly frequent in recent years. As a smartphone owner, it is vital to be aware of the possible risks and take precautions to protect yourself and your device.

Suppose you’re uncertain about the importance of mobile phone security. In that case, the information below will make you reconsider how safe your mobile activities are from crime and data breaches.

Here are some scary numbers that might make you rethink your phone security and how you use your mobile devices.

Australia has the highest mobile app threats detected as of the 2022 Lookout report. With 26.2% of mobile app threats originating from Australia, mobile security is more crucial to Australians now than ever.

As of 2022, an estimated 22.43 million Australians were smartphone users. By 2026, it is estimated that this number will be around 23.62 million Australians. This means that smartphone users account for about 86-87% of Australia’s total population, making the issue of mobile security vital to many Australians.

The number of data breaches in Australia during 2022 is enough to make anyone seek methods to protect their smartphone devices. A glance at the 2022 data breach notifications report in Australia shows the importance of taking security action now.

The state of cyber security in Australia is incredibly fragile. Nearly 8 out of 10 Australian chief information security officers (CISOs) stated they felt unprepared to handle technology data breaches and security threats in 2022.

Unfortunately, data breaches continue to harm unsuspecting Australians. A prime example of breaches continuing to harm Australian consumers is the 2022 Telstra privacy breach, where 132,000 customers were affected by an error that released their private information.

Navigating mobile security is most straightforward when you understand the core principles of smartphone security and safe browsing. While there are many must-dos for protecting sensitive information on your smartphone, you will notice that each must-do falls into specific security principles. Below is a brief overview of the smartphone security principles to keep in mind when upgrading your security skills.

Virus Protection
Smartphones are now an essential tool in our digital lives, used to store personal information, access sensitive data, and communicate across the globe. Unfortunately, this also means they are a prime target for malicious software and viruses. It’s more important than ever to guarantee that your device is protected from viruses.

Smartphone viruses can cause many problems, from a slow device to deleting or corrupting your data and accessing your private information. To make matters worse, many Australian adults do not have security features on their smartphones.

Data Collection
Data breaches and identity theft are becoming increasingly common, and your smartphone is an easy target for hackers. Without practical security measures, any sensitive information you have stored on your devices, such as banking details and passwords, can be accessed or used without your knowledge. That’s why it’s essential to ensure your data is collected safely. Having a secure password, using two-step authentication, and using encryption to store your data are all crucial steps to protect your information.

Privacy
Privacy and security should be a top priority for anyone who owns a smartphone. Mobile devices have the potential to be infiltrated by malicious actors or hackers, which can lead to the theft of personal data, such as passwords and bank details. The importance of smartphone privacy and security cannot be underestimated.

You can ensure that your personal information is not compromised by taking the necessary steps to protect your device. Firstly, it’s essential to keep your device updated with the latest software version. This can help to prevent the exploitation of any vulnerabilities in the operating system. Additionally, creating strong passwords for your accounts and apps is another way to protect your data.

When setting up your smartphone, use a strong and unique password. This should include a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using commonly used passwords such as your birthdate or your pet’s name.

Additionally, you can use a password manager to create and protect your strong passwords. A password manager helps eliminate weak or standard passwords that are easily discoverable. When it comes to your phone’s privacy, your password can make or break how easily a hacker can access your data.

Ensure that you change your password from the default whenever you sign up for a service. Default passwords are only helpful for your first login. After setting up your account, change your password to a personal, complex option.

Whenever possible, use two-factor authentication for your accounts. This adds an extra layer of safety and makes it harder for someone to access your accounts. You can protect your iOS or Android smartphone device with something as simple as this added layer of security. Below are some examples of two-factor authentication you might encounter when setting up this system for added security.

1. A one-time password or code is sent to you via text or email.
2. A login system that requires a password and a pin.
3. A login system that requires a password and an answer to your security question.
4. A login system that also requires details like a fingerprint or facial recognition.

Keep your phone up-to-date with the latest security patches and software updates. This helps ensure that potential vulnerabilities are patched up, and your phone is as secure as possible. When you receive app requests to update to the latest version, consider updating immediately to access the most secure version of the app.

Additionally, you must keep track of your phone’s regular updates and ensure that you install the proper security software updates when your smartphone prompts you to install the latest software version.

Never share your personal information with anyone, such as your passwords, credit card numbers, or bank account information. Additionally, refrain from sharing information like your address, workplace, phone number, or full name with people online or through public platforms.

Hackers often use scams like fake mobile apps to access your personal information and take advantage of you financially. Your credit card information, contact details, and bank information can be accessed if you use fake apps that require your personal details.

No matter how careful and safe you are with your smartphone, even the most cautious can find themselves in a situation where their phone is lost or stolen. If this happens to you, you should enable remote wiping, which will erase all the data on your phone.

A remote wipe is a feature that will allow an administrator or smartphone owner to initiate a command to delete all data from a device to avoid data breaches or compromises. This ensures that your data is safe even if your phone is stolen or lost and saves you time and stress if you lose your phone.

Use a secure cloud storage service if you have sensitive data on your phone. This way, you can ensure that your sensitive data is stored safely and securely. Cloud storage will back up your sensitive data and is typically stored in encrypted cloud servers to protect against hacking or criminal access. Cloud storage services are far safer than your phone’s typical storage and hard drive.

Public Wi-Fi networks are not secure and can be easily hacked. If you have to use public Wi-Fi, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or a secure browser, such as Tor. Because of their lack of encryption, public Wi-Fi networks are generally advised against. Hackers and individuals in your vicinity can monitor your network activity and information. If you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network, take the following precautions to protect your data as much as possible.

1. Do not complete sensitive mobile transactions when connected to public Wi-Fi, especially for finances and banking purposes.

2. Use a VPN when you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network.

3. Have antivirus protection enabled when you use a public network.

4. Ensure that your smartphone’s software is updated to the latest version.

5. Always use complex passwords.

Make sure to use a secure web browser like Tor when browsing the web. This will help safeguard your data and prevent malicious websites from stealing your personal information. A safe web browser will include additional security features to monitor and prevent third-party activity during your browsing session. Along with Tor, Firefox and Google Chrome browsers are highly secure compared to other browser options.

Make sure to download only apps from trusted sources, such as the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. This will help ensure that any apps you download are secure and won’t contain malicious code. Avoid third-party apps outside of your phone’s app store. For any apps you are unsure about, you should always double-check their safety by reading reviews online from trusted sources before installing.

If you’re serious about keeping your phone secure, you may want to invest in a phone security product. These products might include a phone security case or app and can help protect your phone from malware, hackers, and other threats. Phone security products can offer peace of mind about your mobile phone activities and make it easy to remain a cautious, safe internet user.

By following these 10 smartphone security must-dos, you can ensure your phone is as secure as possible. Remember to use a strong password, enable two-factor authentication, update your phone regularly, avoid public Wi-Fi networks, use a secure cloud storage service, and download apps only from trusted sources. Additionally, invest in phone security products to ensure your phone is as secure as possible.

Taking the proper steps to protect your smartphone from data breaches and crimes is simplest when you have a provider that cares about your mobile security. Circles Life is the premier option for Australians seeking a phone provider and telco company that cares about their data integrity and livelihood. With Circles Life, you can take advantage of a mobile network that offers constant access to education, tips, and deals for all of your smartphone needs.

Our team offers the best quality experience for customers seeking a new and improved mobile provider that is simple, responsive, and cost-effective.

Contact the Circles Life team today to learn more about our tech, plans and network.