That smartphone in your pocket includes a wealth of information about you, your colleagues, and your family. This information includes phone numbers, images, and addresses. This begs the question, are smartphones secure enough for online protection?
Smartphone security is beyond the debate of which cell phone version do you have. Mobile devices have grown so pervasive that they have piqued the criminal’s interest looking to steal PII. These accepted tips can help you mitigate the risk of losing your data.
Let’s get started.
General Practices: You should not overshare your personal information.
There could be a chance that you may receive SMS from a recognized institute, but it may not be the case. However, if you receive account information requests through email or text, it is wise to contact the company directly. It will confirm the recommendations made. On a safer note, do not entertain dodgy links obtained from unsolicited emails or messages.
Use a pin, password, or pattern to protect your phone.
It’s simple to set this up. If you are using an android device, go to settings and find Location & Security Settings. Ensure that your location is off. On the other hand, tap on settings from your device’s apps menu. Select security option (this varies as some android may have security and screen lock). Tap Screen Lock under the screen security section. You have different choices, where you can pick the lock type, depending on your discretion. These functions are available to iOS users as well. They can go to the General section of their settings corner and set up a password, pin, and pattern.
Only install applications from reputable sources.
Use Google Play if you’re looking for a new game or something more constructive to do. If available, read specific ratings and reviews, then read the application’s privacy policy to discover what phone functionalities it will have access to if you download it.
Block Spam Calls iPhone and Android
Robocallers and spam callers use many different phone numbers, many of which have the same prefixes as your own. You can block unwanted spam calls on iPhones and Android devices.
Block Spam Calls iPhone: Open the Phone app and tap Recents to block them on your iPhone. Next to the number you wish to block, tap the Info icon. Tap on Block Contact > Block This Caller. This option will help you select a phone number to block it.
Block Spam Calls Android: Open the phone app on your Android device, and keep pressing (for a minute) a contact that is consecutively calling you. Once done, you will see an option to block it; tap on the “Block” option, and boom.
OR
Mark incoming calls as Spam.
Open the Phone app on your device.
Tap Recents at the bottom.
Select the call you would like to report as Spam by tapping it. Report or Block Spam by tapping Block or Report Spam. There will be a confirmation asking if you want to stop the number if you tap Block. Tap the block option. You can also tap it as Report spam, depending on your choice and need.
Note: The processes for blocking numbers differ depending on the type of Android device and operating system. You should be able to pick recent calls or call history when you open the Phone app. Find the command that says Block and report as Spam for the number you wish to block. The notification will ask if you would like to block the number promptly once it is confirmed.
Block Spam Calls App: Blocking specific numbers is incorporated into Android and iPhones, and national carriers actively offer blocking solutions. Hiya: Spam Phone Call Blocker, YouMail Voicemail & Spam Block Truecaller, RoboKiller, and Nomorobo are just a few of the third-party apps that aim to block telemarketing calls.
Note: EFANI does not endorse any of the applications stated above. Would you please do your research before pursuing these apps?
Block Spam Numbers: Call 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY) to register your phone numbers on the national Do Not Call list. You must dial the mobile number from which you wish to join. You can also register at donotcall.gov to have your wireless phone number added to the national Do-Not-Call list.
EFANI: EFANI blocks any unwanted spam calls/texts in 3 months period. On top of that, EFANI guarantees protection against sim swap and protects your digital presence. With their 11-layer military-grade protection, EFANI provides solid cyber solutions to curb the growth of the threat landscape in SIM swap fraud. They work as an MVNO, replacing your existing carrier and thus giving peace of mind.
Update your operating system (device OS) and apps regularly.
Both of these are usually updated regularly, not just to provide new features but also to improve security.
Log out of any online websites visited for payment purposes.
After you’ve made a payment, log out of any websites you’ve visited. Log out and don’t save your passwords or usernames on your device, and refrain from making transactions while using public or open Wi-Fi.
Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
You might think of them as methods to link to anything, but hackers can also use them to gain access to your device and contents.
Deploy multi-layer security
As InfoWorld points out, all cellphones have three fundamental features of security. As an avid mobile user, your first primary responsibility is to become aware of these three layers and activate them in your devices:
(1) Data Protection: Avoiding corporate data from being transferred to personal apps, despite running on the same device/private network
(2) App-Management Security: Keeping your in-app secure from prying eyes.
(3) Device Protection: If your device is lost or stolen, you are on the verge of losing your data. The remote data “wiping” option should be allowed in cases where you can take charge of your stolen data and wipe it before it is in the wrong hands.
Conclusion
Smartphone security is dependent not only on the phones themselves but also on the mobile device management (MDM) technology that controls and administers device security on company servers. To establish adequate protection, both parties must collaborate. It would help if you considered the entire picture.
As more apps are released, particularly for the prominent iOS and Android phones, security is becoming more of a concern, regardless of which mobile device you have. Most phones feature settings that enable you to authenticate any apps downloaded from questionable sources before installing them, and you should always use the Apple, Google Play, or Microsoft stores instead of third-party app delivery services. However, despite the credible sources, read the reviews to ensure you’re not installing anything strange on your smartphone.
