Do you know that an unprotected smartphone can be hacked if it is connected to a malicious charger? That’s the first sign that your phone is not as secure as it needs to be.
The second sign of so-called “juice jacking’ is that your smartphone can reveal sensitive information about you when used on a public Wi-Fi network, or you are not using any virus defender to protect your phone and data from hackers. The message you send has no way of knowing if it reaches its destination or if an attacker has intercepted it and changed the content.
On average, eight new forms of mobile malware are released every single day. To keep yourself safe from hackers and snoops, you should take a good look at what you have on your device right now. Here are five signs that your phone is not as secure as you think.
1. Your lock screen isn’t actually locked
The lock screen is the first thing you see when you wake up your phone. It’s also the last thing you see before it goes to sleep, and it’s where all of your personal information is stored. If someone gets access to this data, they can use it to steal money from your bank account or access other sensitive information about yourself.
To make sure that no one gets into your phone without a password (or passcode), make sure that this feature is enabled in Settings > Security & Privacy > Lock Screen. You’ll be able to set up several types of security options here: PINs, passcodes; biometrics like fingerprints or facial recognition; and even fingerprints while using biometrics!
2. You’re still on Android 4.4 KitKat or earlier
The first step to keeping your phone secure is to make sure it has the latest version of its operating system installed. Previous versions of Android are vulnerable to malware, hackers and other types of attacks because they don’t have the latest security patches applied.
Android 4.4 KitKat was released in October 2013 and contained some serious vulnerabilities that allowed hackers access to personal information on devices running this version or lower (as well as those with older versions).
Since then, Google has pushed out updates that patch these gaps, but many phones remain unprotected unless you update them manually yourself or use a third-party app like Total Defense Security Suite Pro, which does so automatically when prompted by certain actions such as downloading apps from outside Play Store or connecting Bluetooth headphones/speakers etc., respectively.
3. You haven’t enabled two-factor authentication on your phone.
Two-factor authentication is a security feature that requires you to enter a second code when logging in. This can be sent as a text message or generated by an app, so it’s not just about having access to your phone anymore—you actually have to have it on hand if you want any chance of getting access.
Two-factor authentication is an important security feature because it makes sure that no one else has access to your account information unless they also know both parts of the equation.
Without two factors, someone could theoretically get into your email or banking website without ever needing physical access via hacking; however, most websites still won’t send security codes directly from the site itself (they send them only via text message).
4. You’ve given every app permission to access your personal data
The first thing to remember is that your phone is not as secure as you think. You can give every app permission to access your personal data, but that doesn’t mean they will always use it wisely. Some apps may not even have a privacy policy or terms of service agreement, so be sure to read them before downloading any new ones on your phone.
Don’t install free apps from untrusted sources like eBay or Craigslist; these sites often host malicious code that could do damage if installed onto your device. Also, avoid installing apps from unknown developers or manufacturers; if there’s no name attached to an app, don’t download it!
5. You don’t have a password manager on your phone
If your phone is not as secure as you think, it’s time to take a look at how you’re storing your passwords.
Password managers are an excellent way to keep your mobile phone safe. They allow users to generate strong passwords and store them securely in the cloud so that they don’t have to remember them all themselves. This can be especially useful if you use multiple devices or accounts on different networks (like work and home).
A password manager will also keep account information, credit card numbers, etc., stored safely for when you need them — even if someone steals your phone!
There are many different types of mobile password managers available today: some are free while others cost money; some require paid subscriptions, but many do not charge anything after their initial purchase price (the cost varies depending on which type of service provider).
Take these steps to make sure your smartphone is safe from hackers and malware.
- Make sure you have a password manager.
- Use a strong password.
- Use two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Update your software regularly and install security software on your devices, such as McAfee Security or AVG AntiVirus Free Edition (both free).
Conclusion
There you have it. These are the top 5 things you can do to make sure your phone is secure. The next time you see a new phone, think about these tips and take them into consideration. It might be worth the extra effort!
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