An estimated number of 2.5 billion smartphones are in use throughout the world today. This translates to around a third of the world doing anything from texting, video chatting, taking pictures and sending them, or just talking to someone. With everything going on in the digital world of smartphones and the Internet, you may start to wonder how to be smart about it.
There are various smartphone tips and tricks to make you a smarter smartphone user. Whether you are using a Lifeline phone or not, the tips below help you to be smart with your smartphone.
Lock It
Locking your phone with a passcode is the first line of defense a smartphone has against unwanted use. Setting a passcode will ensure no one will be able to access it without your knowledge. There are also smartphones now that let you set your passcode as your fingerprint or using facial recognition. You can even double on the password security by using a passcode and facial or fingerprint recognition.
Watch Out for Links
Whenever you receive an email, always scrutinize its contents and who sent it to you. Plenty of what are called phishing emails get you to click on a link located inside, which compromises the security of your data. Normally, phishing emails will appear to come from a company or pretending to be a person in search of information. Even if you conduct business with the company, make sure that they are the ones sending you the email before you provide any sensitive information.
Software Updates
Updates are an essential part of smartphone ownership. Designed to fix bugs and enhance performance, they may also consist of patches to security holes found in the operating software. For your phone to work as optimally as possible, software updates should be completed as soon as they come out. This will make sure no one can access your data if you’ve stored something sensitive on your phone.
Unique Passwords
Try not to use the same password for multiple accounts. Once a password is stolen, cybercriminals will attempt to use it on any other accounts the user may own. The best policy to help you with this is to use a password manager, which will help you generated hard to crack passwords. The beauty of that type of software is that it will store the password for you, so you’re not forced to remember it.
VPN on Open Wi-Fi
Open Wi-FI when you’re going about your day is too tempting to pass up. Not only do you save valuable cellular data, but you also save your smartphone’s battery. An open Wi-Fi, however, comes along with certain risks of anyone having access to the information on your phone. Therefore, when you decide to use the Wi-Fi you find in a public location, make sure that you are also using a VPN software that will help protect your phone and your information.
Reputable App Stores
Downloading apps is the staple of owning a smartphone. The apps available out there range from games to banking software. When you’re tempted to download an application onto your phone, make sure that it’s from a reputable source. Depending on the type of phone that you have, there are built-in official app stores such as Apple Store for the iPhone or Google Play for Android phones.
Backup Data
Backup your data often. Whether you use the cloud or store everything on a computer, it’s best to back up the data from your phone as often as possible. The bonus of using the cloud is that you could sync at any time without losing any valuable data before you can connect to a phone. Aside from ensuring the safety of your information, it’s also a great way to save space on your phone for future use.
Enable Remote Wiping
Should you find your phone stolen or lost, this becomes an excellent precaution. This feature allows you to wipe your phone back to factory settings, removing all of the personal data you’ve stored over time. If you’ve been backing up your phone periodically, you’re able to retrieve this data on to a new phone, or on your computer, should you need it. Wiping your phone remotely, however, will make sure that the person who has your phone cannot access sensitive data.
Security App
With all of the above tips in mind, you can bring it all together through the use of a strong security app. These types of apps will work in the background as a way to fully protect your phone from cyber-attacks and lost data. These apps will work in more or less the same way as the security software on your computer.
Conclusion
There are many different smartphone tips and tricks that will make you a smarter phone user. As you use your phone on a daily basis, it is no secret that you will accumulate massive amounts of sensitive data that you’d like protected. The iPhone and Android phone tips and tricks will help you in maintaining security on your phone as you navigate the digital world.
