Lock down your Smartphone

November 14, 2017 8:31 am

Where would we be without our mobile devices? We use them to keep track of our busy work and home lives. We use them to navigate traffic and circumvent construction hold ups. We use them to connect with clients and communicate important business dealings. Can you even remember a time when you conducted business chained to a desk?

 

Businesses rely heavily on mobile devices, especially smartphones, to keep track of business calendars, client data, and to communicate with consumers on a daily basis. So keeping that vital device safe and secure is critical. Let’s look at some of the ways you can lockdown your device and keep your sensitive information private.

 

Today, smartphone users have a multitude of ways to lock and unlock their phones including face scans, fingerprint presses, PIN codes, location detection, and the list goes on.

  • iPhones – Currently, iPhone users have the option of Touch ID fingerprint scans and a PIN code, which these days has to be six digits long (ramped up from the former four digit code). The next generation of  iPhone will offer some sophisticated face recognition tech as well as.
  • Android phones – For these versions of smartphones there are more manufacturers and models to consider, and thus more variety in options. For example, the fingerprint sensors and PIN codes are standard virtually everywhere now. The Galaxy S8 from Samsung was one of the first major flagships to introduce iris scanning as an option. Overall, most Android handsets also support pattern unlock, which is slightly more convenient than a PIN, with a smaller number (including the Galaxy S8) offering their own take on face recognition too.

 

Almost all smartphone locks have been hacked, so try to follow some simple rules researched and recommended by the Guardian to increase your security.

  • Install the most recent software updates to maintain the most recent security fixes.
  • Be warey of the Apps you install.
  • Be sure to lock your device whenever it is not in use.
  • Plan ahead and have tracking capabilities on your phone in case it is stolen or lost.
  • Don’t leave online services unlocked.
  • Be wary of public or open WiFi.
  • Review your Apps often and get rid of the ones you no longer use.

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