By Connor Feeney, an intern at XLN Systems, a member of NFIB since 2002, specializing in Communications & Cyber Security
We are now well into the age of mobile technology. From things like cellphones in our pockets to Fitbits on our wrists, our technology has now become as mobile as we are. Along with this, mobile technology has taken tremendous strides and now has become as powerful and sophisticated as some computers we have at home. In recent years, this has also caused devices like phones and tablets to become more targeted by hackers due to the sheer number of people that use them on a regular basis. So now the question becomes; what, if anything, can I do about this? Well, there are a few steps you can take to help keep yourself better protected.
- Use strong passphrases for accounts and devices:
Just as you would for your desktop, make sure you have strong passphrases for all your important information. Use long multiple word phrases that would be hard for anyone to simply guess and would take password cracking programs longer to solve. Also, ensure your devices require some type of authentication for anyone to gain access to the device directly. This could be a passphrase, a fingerprint scanner or face I.D.
- Avoid public WI-FI:
Everyone likes things that are free, especially when it comes to WI-FI. This doesn’t mean that you should blindly connect to public or unsecured WI-FI when it is offered. Using unsecure public WI-FI could allow for others who know what they are doing to gain access to your device.
Avoid doing any type of sensitive work on your phone or device, such as banking, when on public WI-FI. Make sure your connection is secure, and if not then it is always better to use mobile data which is already encrypted by the major cellular companies.
- Make sure device software is up to date:
Cyber Security companies are always finding new threats in this constantly changing world of technology. To combat these new threats, companies will release updates with new protections. You can check for updates by going into the “General” or “Software Update” section in your settings.
- Be vigilant when downloading apps:
Download apps only from trusted sources. Not doing so could result in viruses or malware being directly installed into your devices. This step varies depending on your use of Apple or Android.
- Encrypt your device:
Encrypting your device means your data will be unreadable unless you enter a password to unlock it. This adds an additional layer of security in the case your device is stolen.
- Avoid following links from your mobile devices:
In a recent study by Trusteer, it was found that more mobile users fall for phishing schemes than desktop users. To prevent yourself from falling for these attempts, avoid following any link or prompts until you can access these from a desktop and perform a mouseover of that link to prove if it is legitimate.
