6 Security Slips You Can't Afford With Your Smartphone!

 While having a smartphone is a necessity today, equally important is keeping it safe and secure from prying eyes. One wrong move of negligence and your phone will be brought down, taking you along, for the repercussions could be dangerous. It is essential that you remain vigilant and follow these tips to keep your phone safe at all times.


1.Lock down your device

Your smartphone device comes with basic lock down features. You can password/PIN protect your device so someone can't open and access it. Of course, skilled miscreants would eventually break in, however, this is the first line of defence for any smartphone device and must be followed.

2.Having outdated version of apps

No app is one hundred per cent vulnerability proof. Some of these flaws might persist even after 'n' number of updates, however, developers eventually derive a solution to fix the same in subsequent releases. Therefore it's essential you update your installed apps as and when these are released to stay safe. 

3.Storing work-related data on your smartphone

Work is work, and it must stay that way. Next time you keep your work related data on your personal/unauthorised device, well, think again. In case you're syncing it to the cloud, well, your simply asking for trouble. Unless your organisation has a proper BYOD program in place, refrain from storing any work data on your personal device.

4.Questionable content

While opening malicious websites isn't encouraged on any platform, there are other ways in which smartphones are more prone in this department. Firstly, text messages containing URLs that seem fishy from the word go (for starters they will come from unknown sources), and secondly tons of third-party apps that might contain every ingredient to bring down your device. Beware of falling prey to either of these.

5.Ignoring MDM/encryption

In case you're forced to have your work related data on your personal smartphone, your company has to make sure it has encryption or MDM for devices that can access its network and access its data.

6.Using public Wi-Fi

Careless use of public Wi-Fi is the root of all things that eventually compromise your smartphone data. While free internet is quite tempting, you should never compromise on your safety and security, for it comes first. Using public/insecure Wi-Fi must be avoided, many of these are the breeders of many man in the middle attacks.