Client security Mobile security

BEST PRACTICES FOR SECURING AND PROTECTING YOUR DATA ON MOBILE DEVICES

In today’s world, smartphones are owned by billions of people, ranging from android and IOS users, depending on the affordability of the device or its ability to meet a user’s needs. Acquisition of these devices has been rampant due to the vast services they offer and their effectiveness. Despite their countless advantages, smartphones are at risk of malicious entities whose aim is to gain access to data stored within these devices for other nefarious reasons. In light of these threats it is good practice to employ measures that bar the occurrence of such events that may prove disastrous.

These measures comprise the following:

  1. Regularly checking and Installing new updates: System updates for IOS and Android devices provide new features, software patches and also fix bugs, improving the performance and security of your device. Failure to incorporate these updates may increase the vulnerability of your device to system attacks. It is therefore important to respond to update prompts issued by your system provider. To avoid regular manual intervention in the initiation of system updates, turn on automatic software updates to ensure that recently developed performance and security enhancements are installed automatically. Refer to my article here for step-by-step guide on “How to check for updates on mobile devices“.
  2. Limit or Avoid the use of insecure Wi-Fi: Reliance on public wi-fi may prove disastrous since logging onto these networks may open up vulnerable points on your device that may be manipulated by malicious entities. This in turn may compromise the integrity and confidentiality of data stored on your device. It is advisable to limit your connections to public networks however much you may need them to carry out some of your online activities. Refer to my article here for step-by-step guide on “How to protect your device when using Public Wi-Fi“.
  3. User authentication: User authentication controls comprise the use of passwords, pins, biometrics, face IDs, pattern and other screen lock settings to enhance the security of your device. Refer to my article here for step-by-step guide on “How to configure user authentication controls on mobile devices“.
  4. Data backup: Backing up data facilitates restoration of data in case of loss or damage of a device. It is good practice to back up your data regularly for back ups make your data disaster proof in case anything happens to your device. Refer to my article here for step-by-step guide on “How to backup data on mobile devices“.
  5. Turn on “Find my Device” on androids and Find my iPhone” on IOS devices: Inbuilt Security features consist of tracking features such as “Find My” on IOS devices and “Find my device” on android devices that can help track and locate your device upon losing it. Refer to my article here for step-by-step guide on “How to set up “Find My” on IOS devices and “Find My Device” on androids“.

SUMMARY

Mobile device security requires user intervention for it to be effective. Malicious entities can be mitigated through the application of these measures. Therefore, it is advisable to put these approaches into practice to reduce the vulnerabilities and level up the security