Smartphones are fast replacing computers for many activities. In the process, we leave a lot of personal information on our cell phones unintentionally, which poses several privacy and security risks.
One needs to be extra cautious to ward off such risks. Here are some easy tips to be on the safer side.
- USE A PASSWORD OR PATTERN CODE
It is the first primary step to make it difficult for intruders to break into cellphone security. Use a six-digit passcode or a pattern that is difficult to guess. In case you lose the phone, or someone steals it, it will become a little harder to access and misuse your personal information.
A cell phone without a password is an easy target for anyone to install malware or use your e-wallets or access your accounts.
- NEVER STORE SENSITIVE DATA ON YOUR PHONE
Some people have the habit of noting down passwords, account numbers, or similar personal data. Since we always carry our smartphones with us, it may be convenient to store this data on the phone. But you are making the job of a hacker easier by offering readymade access to your privacy.
Never make the mistake of saving such critical information on your phone.
- DISABLE BLUETOOTH WHEN NOT USING IT
Bluetooth can give easy access to others to your data like contacts, messages, and emails. They can also intercept your calls, read OTP, or access media files and call recordings.
Turn off Bluetooth mode when you are not using it. By doing so, you are creating one more barrier. Always try to enable additional security by using Bluetooth options like passcodes or authentication levels.
- DISABLE LOCATION SHARING
Most people give location access to smartphone apps blindly. The location data may be used against you to spy on you or track you on a real-time basis.
You can go to the settings of the individual apps to disable location sharing, wherever it is not required. E.g., Google Maps needs location permission to help you give travel directions, but there is no need to provide location access to a scanner app.
- REVIEW YOUR PHONE SETTINGS
Review and change the privacy and security settings of your phone to limit access. You may restrict access to data, background processing, cookies, etc. You may change the settings at an application level or even at the phone level.
- SECURE YOUR ONLINE PHONE ACCOUNTS
If others know your accounts’ passwords, they can steal your data without physical access to your phone. Change passwords and update security questions of your social media accounts, email accounts, cloud storage, etc.
- LOG OFF WHEN NOT REQUIRED
Some users have a habit of keeping logged in even when they do not plan to access it for a long time. Sometimes, by scanning the QR code from your phone, you may log in to your WhatsApp Web account on a PC and forget to log off. The person having access to your laptop may also see all your messages without your knowledge.
Remember to log off from your email or social media accounts on other devices and your phone apps.
- USE TWO-LEVEL AUTHENTICATION
Always keep two-level authentication enabled so that others can not access your data without your permission. This authentication type asks for a second-level password or OTP on your phone to access shopping accounts, emails, bank accounts, wallets, etc.
And one more important things, don’t give your sim số đẹp to anyone
- REGULARLY UPDATE THE SOFTWARE
Make sure that the software of your phone is always up to date. When companies provide updates and come out with newer versions of apps or phone’s operating system, they reduce previous versions’ support to decrease the load.
If the software is not updated, the hackers can easily crack the loopholes in the obsolete versions. The operating system of a phone without the latest security patches is highly vulnerable to attacks.
- REVIEW YOUR APPS FROM TIME TO TIME
Delete unfamiliar apps immediately. An old unmonitored map may be accessing your private data. Someone also may install an app in your absence.
Some countries banned a few Chinese apps like Tiktok and Camscanner. These apps were stealing information from your phones. By checking and uninstalling such apps, we ensure unwanted access.
CONCLUSION
Cell phone privacy and security are under your full control if you follow these simple tips to safeguard yourself. It calls for strict discipline and awareness of what happens in the background. Always be on the lookout for any nefarious activities and nip the evil in the bud.