Smartphone Security

Mobile devices are quickly becoming our most used – and valued – possessions. In fact, Flurry Analytics reports the average U.S. consumer now spends around five hours a day on mobile devices. And, according to the 2017 comScore Global Mobile Report, 39 percent of U.S. consumers (and 66 percent of mobile shoppers) log into their bank account via a mobile device at least once a month.

From photos to texts to online account access, there are plenty of reasons we don’t want our phones to end up in the wrong hands. But, it happens. Below are some tips for keeping your mobile devices safe should they become lost or stolen and vulnerable to fraudsters.

• Lock your phone and other devices. One of the easiest ways to protect your phone from unauthorized access is to lock it with something unique to you, such as a passcode, thumbprint or even your face.
• Keep your phone’s software and apps up to date. Software updates will frequently include patches for vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Don’t wait – the sooner the vulnerability is patched, the less time the hackers have to find it.
• Be wary of public WiFi. Because encryption and other security protocols are often lax or nonexistent on public WiFi networks, they could be ripe for attack by cybercriminals looking to steal sensitive information. To learn how to stay safe while using a public WiFi network, click here.
• Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth when you aren’t using them. When you have WiFi and Bluetooth enabled on your phone, they will constantly scan for networks and other devices to connect with. Minimizing your WiFi and Bluetooth usage minimizes your exposure to potential vulnerabilities (and, as an added bonus, saves battery power).
• Tell your bank when you change your phone number or lose your phone. This will ensure no one can use your device to obtain security codes.

Watch the following videos to learn more about the security features of your device:

• Making the Most Secure iPhone Ever
• How to Secure Your Android Device