New research reveals that nearly half (49% ) of UK adults have not installed or didn't know whether their mobile phone has security software. So keeping personal data safe from hackers has never been more important.
New research reveals that nearly half (49%) of UK adults have not installed or didn't know whether their mobile phone has security software. So keeping personal data safe from hackers has never been more important.
In the wrong hands, stolen data can be used by hackers for illegal activity such as applying for loans or credit cards under a victim’s name, or bank accounts being accessed and money withdrawn.
To help keep data safe, leading insurance provider Insurance2go, shares seven ways mobile phone users can help to protect personal data stored on their device.
Using public Wi-Fi is great for those who have a low data allowance, or are running out of mobile data. However, public networks often don’t provide a secure connection, making it easy for hackers to use them to access personal data.
Hackers targeting public Wi-Fi hotspots are able to use what is known as a ‘man-in-the-middle’ attack, which is when a hacker intercepts financial information, passwords and log-in information through a public network.
Always avoid using mobile banking apps or making online purchases whilst logged onto a public Wi-Fi network. For those who do need to use public Wi-Fi, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) app. A VPN can protect data from getting into the wrong hands by encrypting online data and keeping personal information secure when using a public Wi-Fi connection.
Smartphone features that share a location should be used with caution and always turned off when not in use. Features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, location services, mobile data and Near Field Communication (NFC) are susceptible to hacking, especially Bluetooth location services as they transmit a device’s location and presence.
Hackers can easily get hold of personal information and data through features that mark a phone as ‘visible’, so always make sure to disable such features when they are not needed.
Downloading illegitimate apps is another way to open your personal data up to hackers. Often, apps hosted on some websites or third-party app stores can contain malware and can access data once downloaded. It’s recommended that users only download apps from the official app stores, so App Store for iOS users, Google Play for Android users or the App Gallery for Huawei owners.
When an app is first downloaded, it often asks for ‘permission’ to access certain features or information held on a mobile phone. From the camera roll, to your speaker, location or phone contact list, apps can ask for a range of permissions in order for certain functions to work.
Be cautious of what information an app is requesting access to and question whether the app actually needs that information. For example, a photo editing app doesn’t need contact list information in order to function correctly, so take the time to properly think about whether or not that information is needed.
Viral video app, TikTok, recently came under fire for security issues in the US, with reports claiming that the Pentagon warned U.S. military personnel in January to delete TikTok from their phones and India, last month, banned TikTok amongst other apps, over security and privacy concerns. so it’s always important to review what permissions are being asked for by an app.
Whilst it’s recommended to have a variety of passwords for online accounts rather than the same password, auto-login gives hackers easy access to personal data by simply opening up an app or webpage. For those likely to forget multiple passwords, note them down in a secure, password protected note on a phone, or in a notebook that is kept secure and stored away.
Another way mobile phone users can help keep their data safe is by encrypting data stored on their handset. Encrypting data takes the security of information stored much further and can stop hackers from gaining access, by making information unreadable.
To encrypt data on an iPhone, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > press “Turn Passcode On” > press “Passcode Options” to choose a custom code > confirm the device is fully encrypted by scrolling to the bottom of the “Touch ID & Passcode”, where a “Data protection is enabled” message should appear.
For Android users, make sure a password and PIN is already set in the Security > Screen lock section. Then, go to Settings > Security > press the “Encrypt phone” option > read through the notice and press “Encrypt phone” to start the encryption process.
Anti-virus software isn’t just for PCs, there are some great anti-virus software apps out there specifically designed for mobile phones.
Smartphones are essentially pocket computers and can hold just as much personal data as a laptop or desktop computer, so it’s crucial that a form of anti-virus software is installed on a mobile phone to keep data safe.
Software and apps such as Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus (Free with in-app premium purchases, Android, iOS) and McAfee Mobile Security (Free with in-app premium purchases, Android, iOS) are great for providing key malware protection for your data.
And it’s not just using your mobile phone that can open your personal data up to hackers. What happens if your mobile phone is lost or stolen?
Insurance2go shares some useful tips for people who might find themselves in this scenario and want to keep their personal data safe:
Richard Gray, Head of Marketing and Digital, at Insurance2go said: “Our mobile phones are home to lots of stored data and without correctly protecting your personal information, it could easily land in the wrong hands.
“‘SIM-jacking’ is a common method where hackers are able to use stolen data to obtain a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC). This can then be used to switch the victim’s phone number to another phone on another network, helping them gain access to a range of personal data and information, often including banking details.
“Protecting data stored on a mobile phone is extremely important. Hackers are often creating new ways to get a hold of our data, so we hope that by sharing our tips, we can help people avoid getting caught out by fraudsters.”
To find out more about VPNs and how to protect data whilst on a public Wi-Fi, please visit: Everything you've ever wanted to know about VPNs
Sources:
Public Wi-Fi Risks
'SIM-Jacking' on the rise
What to do if your phone is lost or stolen
