Top Atlanta-managed IT security services firm, INSI, cautions to Atlanta and Marietta, GA. Smartphone users about smishing, phishing, spear-phishing, and hacking scams.
It’s again the most wonderful time of the year as Christmas draws near. It’s easy to get distracted with the holiday bustle, gift shopping, parties, and holiday cheer. Still, we must not let our guard down when it comes to cybersecurity on our devices. Innovative Network Systems, Inc. (INSI), Atlanta’s top MSP, provides five smartphone security tips for the holidays.
Five Mobile Security Tips to Keep Your Smartphone Safe
More than eight in ten people use a smartphone in their everyday life. That is equivalent to 6.6 billion people worldwide. Each phone has important vital data, contacts, photos, and health data. That’s why learning how to keep this data safe is essential. Here are five tips from your top Atlanta-managed IT security services and IT support team to keep your phone safe and secure.
#1. Keep Your Smartphone Locked
Not using your lock settings is one of the biggest threats to your smartphone. Several valid smartphone lock methods exist, including passcode, pattern, fingerprint, or face recognition. It all depends on your device’s capabilities. Just be careful not to use overly simplistic patterns or obvious PIN codes such as your birth year or an easily guessable sequence of numbers.
#2. Set Strong Passwords
Remember always to be extra careful with your passwords. Many people set very obvious and easily guessable passwords. These can include their names or surnames, those of their pets or family members, and other information that would be obvious, such as birth year, month, or date.
Setting strong passwords on your apps will make it harder for hackers to guess them. It is also advisable to select a different password for each app. This way, if one password is discovered, the hacker or the thief won’t get easy access to all your information. Your Atlanta-managed IT security services recommend long passwords with symbols, letters, and numbers that take work to guess.
#3. Keep Your OS Current
Updates not only mean that your phone will run more smoothly but also that any vulnerabilities that might have existed have been resolved and patched up in the new version of the OS. It’s essential to update your phone’s OS when it’s available. Your smartphone will notify you of the latest updates.
Keep your phone on auto-update so these updates will happen whenever available. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance. These updates can protect both iOS and Android devices from newly discovered threats.
#4. Be Aware of Public Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
We recommended staying away from unsecured public networks, which most hackers love. They often lack basic security and encryption features, making their work more manageable. Using a mobile VPN is also be an option to increase Wi-Fi security. However, ensure that the mobile VPN you are downloading is legit and does not collect any data from your phone.
On the other hand, people need to be made aware of Bluetooth dangers. It can also be easy for hackers to access your phone if you are not using it responsibly. Ensure to prevent your device from being detected, and always turn off Bluetooth when you are not using it.
#5. Install Security Software
All the above tips will keep you on your guard, and installing a reliable security app will take you the rest of the way to complete protection. The cybersecurity software works non-stop in the background ensuring that no unknown programs or files infiltrate the device. Avast has one of the most crucial security engines in the world. You may have heard of antivirus software for laptops or desktops, but your laptops can also benefit. These programs can protect against viruses and hacking attempts.
Smartphones are an amazing invention that helps us in our lives. Almost everyone now has a cell phone. These pocket-sized computers can perform many functions with access to the internet, and they hold all your important data and personal information, so keeping it secure is very important. Use these tips to help protect your device.
Let INSI Help You Secure Your End-User Devices
INSI, your top Marietta and Atlanta managed IT security services, has mobile cybersecurity protection services and 16 different cybersecurity programs to protect you and your data. Specifically, our Fortify-IT mobile threat defense system and MobileAssess-IT cell phone assessment packages can help protect you from end-user device issues.
From our work family to yours, we hope you have a safe and secure Christmas season.
About the Author
Deborah Frazier is the author of IT Outsourcing Secrets – A Small Business Guide to Compare IT Support Companies. With 20 years of experience consulting small and medium-sized businesses on their IT support needs, she brings a wealth of knowledge to INSI as Head of Marketing and Sales. If you like this article and would like to get notified when a new article is posted, click here.
