Desktops and laptops have been targeted by cyber criminals for years, but with the exponential growth of smart phones and tablets, new security threats are emerging.

Though built-in kill switches help protect mobile devices from unauthorized use, and can even prevent crime from occurring, they aren’t enough to fully safeguard against today’s digital threats.

In order to fully prevent your mobile device from being breached, it is ultimately up to you to ensure precautionary measures are in place.

Below are some simple tips and tricks which can be used to improve the security of your portable devices:

Lock your screen with a passcode or touch ID

Unfortunately locking your screen will only be of benefit once your phone has fallen into the wrong hands.

While it is unlikely you will get your phone back, the average thief will not be able to bypass this simple and effective security feature.

Set passwords and user privileges

Just as locking your screen can prevent individuals from accessing your device’s content, so can setting passwords and user privileges for the various applications that you have installed. Android devices have many built-in security features which are worth taking advantage of!

Depending on how confidential the data on your mobile device is, you may want utilise advanced mobile processes.  Programs like Snapdragon feature everything from kill switches to data encryptions, making it easier than ever to protect your devices.

Use Secured Networks

Free  hotspots and public Wi-Fi seems to be popping up everywhere, from coffee shops to shopping centres. While free Wi-Fi is great for browsing, it is important to be aware that if you are downloading data over the air or via an unsecured, public Wi-Fi network, you leave yourself exposed to hackers.

Avoid using public Wi-Fi for your online baking, e-commerce and anything else that may expose your personal information.

The best way to protect your device and the information stored, is through using a password protected Wi-Fi network.

Only Download Apps from Trusted Sources

While this may seem like an obvious one, it is important to keep in mind that if you’re downloading apps for your Android or Apple device, you should stick to reputable and trusted sources such as iTunes, Google Play, or the App Store. Don’t download apps onto your devices directly from the Internet unless you can be assured that the application is safe. Apps can and do carry malware, so don’t take the risk by downloading from unfamiliar sites.

Hayden McMaster