Tips to Security and Privacy with Mobile Devices

Have you ever thought of security and privacy with mobile devices? Smartphones and tablet computers are now slowly erasing the desktop world. As a matter of fact, everyone with these mobile devices is doing their business tasks and personal stuffs just like a computer can do. But the growth of mobile devices means that they are more prone to vulnerabilities and security threats, they can also be lost easily from your hands because they are small in sizes.

One of the main concerns nowadays is privacy. There are a lot of apps available for your mobile devices that use GPS for geolocation to know your current location, just like a photo embedded with your location that will be uploaded in social networking sites. Anyone around the world will know where you are or where you live once you upload it on the internet. Usually, the apps will ask if you allow your location to be displayed the first time you open. You should not allow it if you are concerned for privacy.

Enabling the Passcode of your device and locking the screen will help you from other people to explore your contents. Different methods for every smartphones and tablets will vary in the procedures on how to enable passcode. For Android devices, connect-the-dots pattern is available while Apple devices possess slide to unlock and entering your Passcode. This is the primary security measure that everyone should activate when having a new device.

Backing up your data to your HOME computer will provide you security from your contents once you lose your mobile device. After making a back up, make sure to activate remote locate, lock and wipe so you can find your device in case you’ll lose it and can delete your personal contents remotely. Apple devices and Windows phone have this service by default and should be activated as soon as possible. Android and Blackberry have some apps that enable this service.

Avoiding WiFi hotspots is also a good step in protecting your mobile device from people who can harm by using the unsecured connection. You can use VPN (Virtual Private Network) to connect with internet but maintaining a secured status. Details of VPN connection from your company’s IT department is required to activate your VPN.

Source: Thedroidguy