The world has gone mobile. This
fact is justified by the increasing use of the smartphone and other mobile
devices, with many tech-savvy individuals relying on these gadgets as handy
substitutes to laptops and desktop computers. Considering the many tasks people
carry out on their devices include mobile banking and online shopping, among
others, the importance of ensuring the security of that device cannot be
over-emphasized.
The following tips from the
Research and Development Unit of Yudala, Nigeria’s fastest growing e-commerce
platform, will help keep your devices secure and less vulnerable to attack from
hackers or data compromise in the event of a loss.
1.Embrace
encryption: One of the best ways to safeguard your device is
to encrypt your phone storage. Most smartphones have this encryption feature
built in, hence your data is seamlessly encrypted even without your notice. Should
your device not have this feature automatically enabled, you can activate it
manually. With encryption, all the data in your device including pictures,
messages, emails, etc. are scrambled into unreadable form. In the event that
your device gets lost or stolen, unwarranted access to your sensitive data is
prevented as your mails, videos, images and other personal information cannot
be retrieved or decrypted without the PIN or password you set while encrypting
the phone.
2.Always
use a VPN when on public Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is often a source of
joy for most smart device users. However, indiscriminate use of open Wi-Fi
connections poses substantial security risks especially from lurking, eagle-eyed
hackers. To avoid jeopardizing your personal details, it is advisable to always
use VPN when on public Wi-Fi. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Through
this, you can access the Internet using a private network while connecting to a
public or unsecured Wi-Fi. In other words, a VPN creates a secure, encrypted
connection, which can be thought of as a tunnel, between your computer and a
server operated by the VPN service. Applications running across the VPN may
therefore benefit from the functionality, security, and management of the
private network. There are several free VPNs you can download and install on
your device to provide this extra layer of security.
3.Never
give out your device’s IMEI number: IMEI (International Mobile
Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit serial number given to a device. Every
mobile phone, GSM modem or device with a built-in phone or modem has its own
unique IMEI number. With this number, you can check some information about the
device such as the country of origin, manufacturer/brand or model. Scammers
posing as representatives of telecoms companies have been known to request the
IMEI number of phone and other device users. Please bear in mind that it is
unwise to give out your device’s IMEI number. You may just be handing over the
vital information required for a potential hacker to clone your device and use
it maliciously.
4.Be
app-smart and not app-happy: Many smart device users are
often app-happy. They waste no time
in downloading every new app they come across without a second thought to the
benefits or access to personal information requested by these apps. To ensure your device is better secured, you
must endeavor to be app-smart rather than being app-happy. As a matter of
importance, you must make it a habit to read the full detailed description of
any app you wish to download. A significant number of apps request access to
some features that may compromise your data such as your phone’s contacts,
camera, emails, etc. In cases such as this and to avoid exposing your details,
it is best to search for a less-intrusive alternative. Furthermore, being
app-smart means that you download apps only from a trusted source such as
AppStore for iOS devices or Google Play for Android.
5.Software
update is key: One of the most essential means of securing your
device is through regular software update. This involves keeping the operating
system software and various application software current with the latest updates
from the manufacturer. It is important to note that these updates will likely
include security improvements too which will make your device more resilient to
attacks. As a result, you must bear in
mind, when making the decision to purchase a phone or mobile device, to choose
a model that can be updated throughout the device’s lifespan.
6.Set
up remote wipe on your device: For most smartphone users, this
feature is often supported. All you have to do is turn it on. With this
functionality, you are protected from compromising your sensitive information
as you can easily wipe all data remotely once you lose your device. Remote wipe
occurs as the first thing when the device connects to the internet.
Interestingly, through other associated features, you can even take some steps
to locating your missing device by either ringing the lost phone, changing the
lock screen with a customized message or erasing all your data.
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