Behind the Vault

Almost all of us have some type of mobile device. Losing it, having it accessed without permission, or finding out it’s infected with malware can be a scary moment. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect your devices and the information on them.

1. Keep watch

Don’t let them out of your sight when in public places. Make sure all your devices are set to auto-lock after a certain amount of time without use. It's recommended to use the lowest amount of time available.

2. Don’t modify them after purchase

It’s tempting to download apps that are not in the official Apple and Android app stores, but that puts you at more risk. Do some research on the apps you want, read the reviews, and only use the official stores. This lowers the chance of downloading something that could steal your digital banking login credentials, puts ransomware on the device, or render it useless.

3. Protect with passwords or PINs

Always make sure your mobile devices are password or PIN protected. Research showed that over 30% of those asked didn’t bother to set up a passcode on their smartphones. This leaves those devices more vulnerable if stolen.

4. Stick to secured connections

Avoid using public Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, even if they are password protected. For scammers, it’s not difficult to intercept communication over public Wi-Fi networks. If you must perform transactions that may involve sensitive data, use cellular data on the device or wait until you are at home.

5. SecureiIt with software

Most people keep up with installing security software on computers. However, they tend to get a little lax about mobile devices. Use security software to add an extra layer of protection. When selecting software, make sure you do your due diligence to ensure it's legitimate and the right choice for your device. And of course, stick to downloading it from the official app store.

6. Update, update, update

As always, keep your mobile devices updated with the latest patches and software updates. It’s easy to ignore the little red indicator, but there is a reason the developers release patches for security vulnerabilities. So, make sure to get them applied as soon as possible after they are released.