In today’s world, no matter where you glance, you will come across news pertaining to a mobile security violation. Just a few days back, all the risks and loopholes in IOS 9.3.5 were taken advantage of by the notorious NSO groups. NSO groups are the makers of surveillance software, reading text messages and emails, recording sounds collecting passwords, and also tracking the calls of the users. Apple launched its security patch on the 25th of August. Apple has the best iPhone protection plan. Whereas on the android side, the Linux bug was first launched in the android version 4.4 left 1.4 billion people at the risks of hijacking attacks. The risks permit the attackers to end the connections and if the connections are not coded then the attackers inject some harmful codes or content in the users’ communications. The spokesmen from Google assume that they are aware of these risks and are taking the needful actions.
Security problems with the phones
There is a large number of factors that point towards weak mobile phone security, and the great thing that concerns it is that they are much easier to carry and there is a high chance of it being misplaced, lost, or stolen. You carry mobile almost everywhere and there are high chances of leaving it behind. If it gets into the wrong hands and that person gets access to your phone, it won’t be difficult for him to control over your personal data.
The second most thing that concerns mobile security is interference by third-party apps. These apps are not considered by the main app installing stores like iTunes and Google play store. Therefore they are quite dangerous for your phones. Apple iPhones really has some strict laws about the apps and their installation. The apps can only be downloaded from iTunes and there are few third-party and therefore are more secured as compared to android. One great negative point about this is that the users are not allowed to go beyond the ecosystem of iTunes. This is the reason why some people jailbreak their mobile phones. It is a dangerous thing because it stops all the security, not only for the apps but also for the operating system. That is why it is necessary to get a cell phone warranty.
Another risk of security with mobile phones is that the phone users do not update their operating system as often. Updating the operating system requires some memory space and some battery power. Usually, most people are always short of these two things. Every time if you do not update your phone with the latest software update, a cybercriminal gets a chance to utilize your security vulnerabilities in the operating system. Mobile Phones are not equipped with computer components like firewalls, anti-virus apps, or anti-malware software. Mobile phones only have their operating system which is not enough for totally protecting your device.
Here are some ways to secure your mobile phones:
1. Always keep your phone locked
One of the great threats is when your phone gets stolen. Once it gets stolen, it would give the thief an opportunity to go through your personal information. To stop this, you always need to lock your mobile phone whether, in terms of pattern, passcode, fingerprint scanner, or face unlock it totally depends on you and the capabilities of your device. When you enable the lock screen, you get an option on how long the phone can be idle before it is locked. You always choose the shortest amount of time. This will protect your phone, as it will automatically pass the lock screen if you forget to lock it by yourself. This will also help in saving the battery as it will go dark after passing the set time.
2. Set difficult passwords
You should always set strong and difficult passwords which can be super difficult for the hacker to crack. It is always suggested to keep a different password for all your different apps. In this way, if the hacker is able to crack the password of one app, he or she won’t be able to access the entire personal information. If you are an entrepreneur, having the same password may bring the entire organization at the risk.
3. Always updating your mobiles operating system
Mobile phone software updates are installed on your phone to improve your user experience. This would also improve the performance of the security system. Though the updates are launched frequently, the user can quickly access the update or ask the device taker to notify you in the future. It is very important to stay up to date with your electronic devices especially mobile phones. These updates are useful for protecting both IOS and Android devices from newly found threats.
4. Being aware of downloads
If you download the app, you must always be sure that the app you download from the official app stores and check reviews of the app. Cybercriminals create duplicate apps that look and run like the original trusted branded apps. Their main aim of creating these apps is to obtain the users’ private and other information.
