So, you have yourself a brand new smartphone in your hands and excited to see the many features it has, how good the games look, and how clear the photos are. Well, before you even think about any of that, you should really be thinking about how you are going to keep it safe.
Your expensive new phone could be a target for thieves, viruses, and malicious apps among others. Here are our 5 quick tips on keeping your smartphone safe..
- Avoid Swipe Patterns
Locking your phone is massively important, and we struggle to understand why some people do not do this. A thief will already have your phone which they can sell on, but by leaving it unlocked, they could get hold of even more important stuff. You might have auto logins for your bank accounts, e-wallet addresses, email addresses and more!
In theory, the swipe pattern is a pretty good security feature, but it comes with flaws. Imagine if your fingers were greasy when you last swiped the pattern? Anybody that has stolen your phone will see that pattern on your screen.
To lock your phone, we suggest you use fingerprint recognition, face recognition, or at the very least, a pin code.
- Make Antivirus Your First App to Install
People often assume that antivirus software is for computers only. They are unaware that viruses can even harm their smartphones. Well, smartphones are computers themselves, so it makes sense that viruses can, and do damage to smartphones all around the world.
Therefore, make sure that the first app you install on your phone is from a reputable antivirus provider. There are tons out there, and many do not even cost money for a decent level of protection.
- Regularly Update Your Phone
Whether you own the latest iPhone, the Xiaomi Redmi, or any other smartphone, it is hugely important to keep the operating system updated. Sure, it can be a hassle whenever your phone wants to update, but there is usually a reason it requires updates. Often, that reason is to fix security vulnerabilities.
- Be Careful What Apps You Install
There are hundreds if not thousands of apps that you can download onto your phone. The key is to be very wary about any of them before you decide to install them. For one, never download apps are not from a trusted source. Secondly, pay attention to the permissions they want from you. If the app is asking for permissions that make little sense, do not allow it.
- Protect Your Data
Your data is probably just as, if not more, valuable than the phone itself. Therefore, always take steps to protect it. Regularly back up your data using cloud storage. At least if you lose your phone, you will not lose all your pics, videos, and work, etc.
Also, many phones have a feature whereby they will automatically wipe all data on the phone if the password for the lock has been incorrect three times in a row. This will prevent thieves from getting hold of personal information if they do ever get inside.
Conclusion
As long as you take the steps above, you will be in a far better position to keep your smartphone safe. There are no guarantees, of course, but you will have done the best you could to prevent your information and data being stolen or viruses and apps doing damage to your phone.
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