It’s critical to keep your phone and tablet safe because they have a lot of private stuff on them, like pictures, contacts, and even bank details. When you use these devices, you’re open to all sorts of risks like harmful software, people stealing your info, fake emails, and others getting into your device without permission. So, keeping your devices protected is key to keeping your personal info safe. Here, we’ll share some simple tips to help you protect your phone and tablet, keep your data secure, and stay safe when you’re online.
Here Are Essential Security Tips to Protect Your Smartphone and Tablet
1. Enable Basic Security Features and Keep Your Device Updated
In your device’s settings, make sure you enable the available security features. These include, for example, the screen lock or PIN entry when starting the device. Many attacks target security vulnerabilities in the software, which manufacturer updates only close—these primarily include flaws in the operating system and applications. Activate the automatic update function or regularly check for available updates. This ensures that your device is always up to date.
- For Android devices
- For iOS devices
2. Install Apps Only From Trusted Sources and Check App Permissions
Install apps only from reputable sources and only download applications you really need. Avoid sources whose trustworthiness you doubt. For example, do not install any app that is sent to you unsolicited as an email attachment or offered as a download link. Apps that claim to offer more features than the “original” versions are also suspicious. If you have doubts about the trustworthiness of an app or app developer, a simple internet search is often enough to learn about the provider. Pay attention to user reviews, ratings, and tests from established online portals. Install updates promptly. Uninstall apps you no longer use.
Many apps grant themselves extensive permissions without any apparent reason, for example, to access location data, the address book, or phone status. However, this is not necessary for every app . Critically check beforehand whether the permissions are truly necessary for the application to function. If in doubt, it’s better not to install the app. You also have the option to revoke permissions from an already installed app via your smartphone’s settings.
Important: Updating an app can also lead to changes or expansions in access permissions, and an app might suddenly gain access to your address book, for example. Therefore, regularly check the granted access permissions and consider whether you want to continue using the app under the changed conditions.
3. Use Strong PINs and Passwords to Protect Your Device
Make sure your SIM card PIN and phone screen lock are always activated. Sensitive applications, such as online banking and online purchases via apps, should also be protected with a PIN or password whenever possible. Replace default PINs with your own unique combination. Choose number combinations that aren’t easy to guess and avoid logical sequences like “12345” or birthdays.
Devices can usually also be unlocked using a fingerprint or facial recognition. A more convenient, but not quite as secure, method is to unlock the device via a pattern lock in the operating system. This involves drawing a specific pattern across the screen with your finger. Be careful that fingerprints don’t reveal the pattern by regularly cleaning your device’s screen. Whether you use a PIN or a pattern, always block the view while entering it so that no one can see your combination.
Continue Reading: How To Better Protect Your Data & Passwords On Google Chrome Browser
4. Turn Off Wireless Connections When Not in Use
Activate interfaces only when necessary. If several factors coincide, a nearby attacker may be able to intercept data transmissions. Therefore, it can be advisable to deactivate wireless interfaces such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC in your device’s settings when you don’t need them. This will also save battery power.
5. Protect Your Location and Personal Information
Turning off Wi-Fi and GPS will reduce the accuracy of location tracking. While network operators and, in some cases, app providers can still determine the location of mobile devices, you should generally be very cautious about sharing your location data.
Cybercriminals could determine your location, find out more personal information about you, or use information such as vacation details to plan a theft. Only use navigation services when necessary (more on this topic in section 6). Use appropriate apps to remove location data from the metadata of photos you upload to the internet. Metadata refers to all information (date, location of the photo, etc.) that is automatically saved by your device in addition to the photo itself when it is taken.
6. Use Trusted USB Connections and Charging Accessories
Only connect your mobile device to computers whose users you trust for charging or file transfer. Malware can also be transmitted this way. In your mobile device’s settings, you can also specify whether data transfer should occur when connected via USB or whether your device should only be charged. Whenever possible, use only the power adapter supplied with the device for charging.
7. Use Public Wi-Fi Hotspots With Caution
Public hotspots, like Wi-Fi in a café or at an airport, often lack a password for the wireless connection to the router or use a password shared by all users. This creates the risk that an attacker could intercept your data. Therefore, it’s crucial that communication between your device and the internet server is encrypted. This secure communication is established via the https protocol, recognizable in the browser by the padlock icon in the address bar. If this icon is missing, or if you receive a warning about an insecure connection, the connection is not secure. In this case, you should be wary of public Wi-Fi and refrain from transmitting sensitive data.
Keep in mind that apps, in addition to your browser, also establish data connections to the internet. These connections could also be unencrypted. If you set up your own hotspot for other users with your mobile device, caution is also advised with this function. With tethering, your smartphone acts as a hotspot for other devices, allowing them to access the internet via the generated Wi-Fi network.
Such a connection should always be secured with a strong password, as anyone who knows or can guess the password can access the internet via the hotspot operator’s mobile network. It’s usually possible to filter access for individual devices. In this case, a device must be confirmed upon its first connection. Turn off the hotspot when it’s no longer needed.
8. Keep Your Smartphone and Tablet Secure
To protect your devices from unauthorized access and tampering, you should never leave smartphones and tablets unattended. Lost or stolen devices can be remotely locked using various apps. Some device manufacturers offer their own apps that can help locate a stolen device.
Important: Make sure you choose a trustworthy provider for such apps.
To lock your smartphone in case of loss, many of these apps only require sending a predefined message with the correct command code to your mobile phone number. This will delete your personal data on the device or make it inaccessible. Alternatively, under certain conditions, a smartphone or mobile-enabled tablet can be located via its IMEI number—a unique serial number—through the network operator. Note this number down beforehand.
You can find your device’s IMEI number in the Settings app or by dialing *#06#. It is sometimes also printed on the packaging or your provider’s invoice. It serves as proof of ownership in case of theft.
After blocking your device, you should also have your SIM card blocked by your provider. Please note the correct order: If the SIM card is deactivated, you will no longer be able to receive a blocking code.
Only install mobile device security solutions (such as tracking, remote locking, encryption, or antivirus apps) that meet your specific needs, and consider whether you are willing to permanently enable features like location services.
9. Protect Your Data With Encryption and Regular Backups
Modern smartphones have internal storage encryption enabled by default. However, data on an SD card is usually not protected by the device’s storage encryption. This means photos and other data can be read externally by removing the card. To encrypt an SD card, it must be formatted as internal storage. If the SD card is formatted as portable storage, the data on it will be stored unencrypted. Regularly back up the data on your mobile devices to a suitable backup medium – such as a USB drive or online storage.
Important: You cannot read an SD card formatted as internal storage outside of your smartphone.
Continue Reading: Data Security & Importance Of Protecting Yourself On The Internet
Additional Smartphone and Tablet Security Measures
10. Erase All Data Before Selling or Disposing of Your Device
If you are reselling, giving away, or disposing of your mobile phone, be sure to erase its storage. Otherwise, traces of data may remain that could give new owners or even criminals private information about you. Resetting the device to factory settings will render all data on the internal storage unusable. You can find this option in the settings menu.
Remember to remove any additional storage media, such as an external SD card. Such an SD card can be securely erased using a card reader connected to a PC. You should also always remove and destroy your SIM card if you no longer intend to use it. Don’t forget to cancel the associated contract, if applicable.
11. Verify Unknown Phone Numbers Before Calling Back
Be suspicious of calls from unknown or blocked numbers. Some scammers try to obtain passwords or PINs over the phone. Never call back unknown numbers without verifying them. You can find up-to-date information on misused phone numbers on the website of the Federal Network Agency. If necessary, have your network provider block outgoing calls to premium-rate services that could result in high charges on your phone bill if you call them back.
12. Use a VPN When Connecting to Public Wi-Fi
If you have the option to connect to your home network or its router via a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can be just as secure on public Wi-Fi hotspots as you are used to at home. A VPN is a particularly secure connection between two points. It establishes a secure “tunnel,” for example, from a smartphone through the public internet to your home network, from where you can then use your own internet connection. Modern routers often offer the option of setting up a VPN.