Mobile Safety Phone security is a serious issue
Nowadays it’s probably more worrying if someone steals your phone than your purse because of the amount of data stored on it: bank, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon accounts, are the tip of the iceberg.
Your first line of defence is to make it hard for thieves to get into the phone. Make sure you’ve got your phone lock turned on so that they have to enter your password. If you’re using a pattern or pin code to unlock the phone make sure it’s not something simple like 1234 or a rectangle.
SIM cards can be switched to another phone and used to run up bills of thousands of pounds. Notify your provider as soon as you realise your phone is missing. A delay may mean that you incur unnecessary charges. Although phone companies are being exhorted to cap the amount of liability a customer incurs if their phone is misused, at the time of writing this is not commonplace. Make sure your SIM is locked, as well as your handset, and check with your provider to see if you can voluntarily place a cap on your usage; that way, the phone will cut out once the limit is reached.
Switch your location service on. Your phone will then be able to tell you where it is. Apple, Android and other major systems all have online phone location websites. You can locate and lock the phone, make it ring or even wipe it.
52
Mobile phones, like laptops are open to hackers. In general phones are more secure from virus attacks, but you still need to be wary of criminals. Virus attacks on phones mostly occur via dodgy apps. Apple are very strict about what is allowed into iTunes so virus protection isn’t an issue. On Android devices you need to be more careful. Read reviews carefully and check the permissions the app requests when you install it. If it’s a simple app asking for full access to your phone, it should ring alarm bells. If in doubt don’t install. Most of the major security companies produce Android apps to give you an extra level of security. Install one of these to give you extra peace of mind.
Remember, when your phone connects to a Wi-Fi hotspot all the information it sends and receives passes through the computer controlling that hotspot. Always be aware of who owns the hotspot and how much you trust them. Most data, like bank logins and other major services, are highly encrypted so they can’t be stolen. However, other websites you use will not be as secure and may allow your login details to be hi-jacked. Check that the website or app you are using is secure (look for a little padlock icon) before you type in your details, especially card details. If in any doubt, don’t use it.
Phone security is mostly about being aware of the problem and using common sense. If you follow the steps above, then even if you do lose your phone, it shouldn’t cause you any serious issues.
To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e.
the.wire@btinternet.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100