In today’s times, each of us has at least one mobile phone or some other mobile device, such as a watch or tablet. These devices are usually constantly connected to the internet, either through a cellular network or WiFi. Typically, these devices continuously transmit and store various data, which can be very valuable and often confidential. A small percentage of mobile device owners are aware of how crucial security is in using a mobile phone. We rarely take the time to ensure that our devices are protected against malicious software, theft, or even loss due to misplacement. Often, convenience in usage takes precedence over security.
Below, I will present to you a few principles and solutions that can help enhance the security of your devices.
Strong Passwords and Screen Lock
The first step you should take when configuring a device is to establish a PIN code that will be used to unlock it. When dealing with phone users, I often notice that they have simple patterns or straightforward character sequences used to unlock their phones. Such security measures are weak. A proper and secure PIN code should be challenging to guess and ideally consist of at least 8 characters, including numbers, letters, and special characters. It is also worth considering biometric methods of locking, such as fingerprint recognition or facial recognition.
Device Encryption
Once you have established a PIN code, it’s advisable to use the option to encrypt your device. After this operation, the data on your phone or tablet will be encrypted using the password or PIN code you configured earlier. Therefore, it’s crucial for the PIN code to be as difficult to guess as possible.
Updates
Another important step is to keep the operating system and, equally importantly, applications up to date with the latest versions. It’s beneficial to set up automatic updates so that when a new version becomes available, your phone automatically updates everything it needs. If you prefer not to enable automatic updates, regularly check for their availability. However, be cautious, as information about updates can sometimes be found in phishing emails or after downloading infected applications.
Manufacturer Support
What’s the use of automatic updates and regular checks if the manufacturer no longer supports the device? It’s worth considering purchasing a device with long-term manufacturer support to have access to update patches fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities. Generally, the newer the model, the longer and more frequent the support.
Network Connections
In the article on maintaining internet privacy, we’ve already emphasized the importance of having antivirus software and using a VPN. I will reiterate these points here because mobile devices often use unsecured WiFi networks, whether at airports or in restaurants. Therefore, if you are using such networks, it is crucial to configure a VPN connection. You can, for example, use a free application like Proton VPN. When using a VPN, a secure encrypted connection is established between you and the server you are communicating with, preventing third parties in the network from intercepting data. It’s also worth considering installing antivirus software on your mobile device.
Applications
In my interactions with people, I often notice that they install applications without considering the permissions the app requires. It doesn’t raise suspicion for them if a QR code reader app requests access to SMS or phone calls. I believe my readers are very aware and avoid installing such apps. When apps request additional and unnecessary permissions, it is crucial to promptly uninstall them.
- Remember to download apps only from trusted sources. Although, as shown in one of the articles (infected apps on Android), this is not always foolproof, as even app stores like Google’s may have malicious apps. However, simply avoiding apps from unknown sources significantly reduces the likelihood of infection.
- Check reviews, ratings, and comments from other users before downloading. However, don’t blindly trust these reviews, as they could be manipulated.
- Verify the permissions an app requires before installing or running it. Permissions grant apps access to various functions or data, such as contacts, messages, or photos. Always remember that if you deny a permission and it turns out to be necessary, you can restore it in the settings.
- Remove or disable apps you don’t need. Unnecessary apps not only take up space and slow down device performance but also pose a potential security threat. Therefore, it’s essential to regularly check if all installed apps are useful. If an app hasn’t been used for over a month, simply remove it. This helps reduce resource usage and the risk of an attack.
- If you are a company administrator concerned about employees installing apps without consideration on company devices, consider implementing a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system. With MDM, you can configure trusted apps and prevent employees from installing apps not approved by the company.
Backup
Modern phones already offer the option to create backups, for example, in the Google or iCloud cloud. It’s worth taking advantage of this feature, but if we have too much data, the cost may be too high. Therefore, it’s advisable to periodically copy data from the phone to an external drive so that, in case of device loss or damage, the data remains intact.
In summary, the security of mobile devices is a crucial issue that requires awareness and responsibility from users as well as companies. Mobile devices are frequently used, making them susceptible to various threats that can compromise privacy, data confidentiality, and lead to financial and legal consequences for companies. Therefore, it’s essential to adhere to the principles outlined above, as they will help you maintain security for a longer time and avoid data breaches.