The convenience and efficiencies that the rise of mobile devices has brought about are indisputable. However, despite the increase in mobile device reliance, their security has not kept the same pace of improvement. Contrary to what many people think, mobile devices are just as susceptible to malware as any other computer or smart device connected to a network. Many of the same cyber-security practices that you should use for computers are the same practices that you should use for your mobile devices.
Authentication
The first tip is the most obvious one, enable authentication on your device. Every device, mobile or not, that you keep private or sensitive data on should be protected with some form of authentication to restrict access to only those who are approved. This is usually a password or PIN that must be entered to get past the lock screen, but some devices allow for methods such as facial or fingerprint scans.
Update Often
The next tip is another one that is the same for mobile and non-mobile devices. You need to ensure that all software on your device (including its OS) has installed the latest security updates. One of the best ways to do this is to enable automatic updates on your devices and apps, so they will always be up-to-date without you having to worry. Seriously, keeping devices and applications up to date is extremely important. They aren't just for features. They also have vital bug fixes and security improvements!
Be Cautious of Public Wi-Fi
Now, while many people see public Wi-Fi as a convenience, in actuality, it poses a significant risk to the mobile devices that you connect to it. It can be effortless to intercept traffic over an unencrypted Wi-Fi network. Even a novice hacker can easily steal private information sent over public Wi-Fi! Bluetooth can also pose a similar risk as public Wi-Fi, especially if automatic connections are enabled. As a general rule of thumb, you should never allow a mobile device to connect to anything you are unfamiliar with automatically.
Have a Plan for if your Mobile Device is Lost or Stolen
An unfortunate problem inherent to mobile devices is the ability to lose them. That means that potentially losing your mobile device is something you have to consider regarding that device's security. One method to ensure your data is protected, even if it is lost, is enabling the ability to lock the device and wipe the data remotely. Another step you can do to recover the information on your mobile device is to enable cloud backups from the device. This ensures that even if the mobile device is lost or destroyed, you will still have access to its stored data.
Your Mobile Device Should be Secure
Cyber-security can seem like a hassle, but in a way, it should be. After all, cyber-security often adds additional steps you need to take to access your data to prove that you are whom you say you are. However, those extra steps are essential since the easier it is for you to access your data, the easier it is for others to access it as well. There are no signs that the need for cyber-security is disappearing anytime soon; in fact, all signs suggest that most people should have better cyber-security. So, you should make sure that you are setting up your cyber-security correctly and soon.
But what if your device is hacked? Are You Cyber Resilient?
Cyber Resilience is the ability for an entity to continue to function during a cyber attack. With the every growing amount of cyber attacks against businesses cyber resilience also continues to grow in importance just as much as cyber security. In order to properly prepare you business in the event it falls victim to a cyber attack there are steps that need to be followed.
Download this eBook on the importance of cyber resiliency to learn about the necessary steps you can take as a precaution and know that you and your business are more secure.