10 tips to secure your smartphone

1. Don’t leave your phone unattended in public places

Yes, we know this is a very simple tip yet it’s vital to leave zero temptation for criminals to steal your phone. Always keep your smartphone on you when you’re out and about.

2. Don't keep your card and phone together

Avoid taking cards to the gym if you can and have your phone with you as you exercise (also handy to stream your favourite music as you work out). Avoid those handy card holders that double up as a phone case.

3. Turn off your notifications

A potential scammer will be unable to read any authentication or verification codes that come via text messages in an attempt to steal funds from your card.

If you have an iPhone...

• Go to Settings
• Scroll to Messages
• Scroll to Notifications
• Scroll to ‘Show Previews’ where you’ll see: Always / When Unlocked / Never
• Select either ‘When Unlocked’ or ‘Never’

If you have an Android...

• Go to Settings
• Select Lock Screen
• Select Notifications
• Select ‘Don't Show Notifications’

4. Add extra security with facial recognition or your fingerprint

As authentication technologies continue to improve, these sophisticated sensors help reduce false acceptance rates (FAR) and block attempts at hacking. Winning!

5. Regularly delete your browsing history, cookies, and cache

Removing your virtual footprint each time you browse the internet is important to minimise the amount of data that can be maliciously used by a cybercriminal.

6. Regularly back up data on your phone

If your smartphone is stolen, having your data backed up securely on the Cloud allows you to wipe all of the information stored on your phone quickly, safe in the knowledge that you have a stored copy of your sensitive information.

How to wipe data from your phone:

Step-by-step guides from Apple & Google.

Once a scammer gets hold of a smartphone, they can use personal details for identity theft and account takeover. Therefore, smartphone security must cover:

• Mobile malware
• Dodgy apps
• Data leakage
• Unsafe networks
• Phishing scams

7. Avoid using public WiFi

Generally, these networks are insecure, and hackers often use them to target hot online locations such as bank accounts.

If you do use public WiFi, please ensure you follow our next tip:

8. Use a mobile VPN

Yep! Ensure your VPN is turned on especially when you jump onto public WiFi in cafes, at the airport, shopping centres, or hotels, for example, and make it good practice to have your VPN on when you’re using any website that requires personal details. That way you can be safe in the knowledge that your sensitive data and any activity remains locked away from any prying eyes.

9. Download apps from your smartphone official Appstore only

Going straight to Google Play or the Apple App Store ensures that measures are in place to help prevent potentially malicious apps from getting into their stores. These dangerous apps are often found outside of official app stores and in places like Facebook and Instagram newsfeeds or website pop-ups. These apps run in the background and compromise your personal data like passwords, credit card details, and more.

10. Consider an Antivirus app

Antivirus software has been around since the time of the desktop PC, and most now offer mobile options too. Why not protect all your devices?

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