Best Practices for Mobile Usage

With the increased use of technology, we are now more exposed to the threat of viruses and cyberattacks. Thus, cyber security is of utmost importance. . Security becomes even more critical, when it comes to mobile device usage. We must stay alert, as the nature of frauds as well as cyber criminals are evolving and adapting as per our online behaviour.

Always Keep your phone locked when not in use

A thief can completely access your personal information once a device is stolen. To prevent this, always lock your screen, either by using a strong passcode or pattern or biometric features.

When enabling a lock screen you can opt to choose for how long the phone will remain idle before locking. It is recommended to keep that time frame short; then the phone automatically locks itself, even if you may forget to lock the screen.

Set secure passwords

Setting strong passwords on your phone and respective apps will make it harder for a hacker to unlock the code.. It’s also suggested to set a different password for each app. This way if one password is discovered, the hacker won’t have access to all information. It is advisable to use two-factor authentication.

Keep your device’s OS up-to-date

It is necessary to keep the devices updated regularly as this can help guard against newly discovered threats. To check if the device’s OS is up to date, go to “About Phone” or "General" and click "System Updates" or "Software Update."

Connect to secure WiFi only

Even though WiFi is nowadays available everywhere, one should be wary of signing in to unsecure open networks. A large number of frauds occur over such networks.

Be careful while downloading apps

Be sure to download apps from the official app stores only and check for user reviews. Cybercriminals create fake mobile apps that resemble trusted brands in order to obtain users’ confidential information.