7 Smart Tips for Keeping Your Smartphone Safe

These common-sense tips will help keep you and your information safe, from locking your phone with a pin to installing a security app.

Here are seven steps to make your smartphone and the data you save on it more secure:

1.Don’t give out any personal information.

It’s possible that the SMS message that appears to be from your bank isn’t. If you receive requests for account information through email or text, contact the company directly to confirm the request. Tap links in unsolicited emails or messages with the same caution.

2.To lock your phone, use a pin, password, or pattern.

It’s simple to set this up. For instructions on most AndroidTM smartphones, click to Location & Security Settings. These choices are available to iOS users in the General section of their settings.

3.Only install programs from reputable sources.

Use Google PlayTM if you’re looking for a new game or something more constructive to do. If available, look for ratings and reviews, then read the app’s privacy policy to discover what phone functionalities it will have access to if you download it.

4.Make a backup of your data.

This is more about securing and restoring your data in the event of a calamity. You can save your contacts, music, images, videos, and documents to the cloud using the default backup system.

5.Update your operating system and apps on a regular basis.

Both of these are usually updated on a regular basis, not just to provide new features but also to improve security.

6.After you’ve made a payment, log out of any websites you’ve visited.

If you bank or shop on your smartphone, log out after you’ve completed your transactions. Other suggestions include not saving your usernames and passwords on your phone and refraining from making transactions while using public Wi-Fi.

7.When not using it, turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth®.

You might think of them as methods to connect to anything, but they can also be used by thieves to gain access to your device and contents.