How to secure your smartphone – 5 more tips!

Our smartphones are portable entertainment and business centers, crammed full of valuable personal and confidential data. But how can you keep the data stored on your smartphone secure? Learn how you can secure your smartphone to stop thieves and attackers from stealing your personal data.
In this article we explain how to secure your smartphone with 5 more tips and tricks! Don’t forget to check my previous article for more ways to secure your smartphone.


How to secure your smartphone

1. Do you trust the app you want to download?
We download millions of apps every day, but do you ever read what exactly the app accesses before you install it? If you don’t, make a point of checking this from this day forward.
Most smartphones only allow you install apps from a trusted app store by default e.g. iTunes or Google Play, but it’s worth checking your security settings to make sure that’s still the case.
Many applications sneakily access your personal information, or they can be fake apps masquerading as legitimate ones or in some cases, you grant them access to perform certain functions on your phone. If you don’t trust it – don’t download it. And that free game you installed? Remember, some apps are only free because they’re selling your data on to marketing companies.

2. Selling or recycling your smartphone?

Before sending your smartphone to “phone heaven”, or before you sell it or donate it, it’s important to wipe all traces of your data from it and remove any SD storage cards that might be in there. Be aware though, that a simple factory reset might not remove all of your data.
But before you do that though, remember to backup your data – because once it’s gone, it’s gone for good!

To find out how to wipe data from your smartphone check out this article from Compare my Phone which gives some tips and tricks for Android and iOS users.

3. Made an online payment? Remember to log out!
Once you have made an online purchase, or used your smartphone for online banking, remember to logout – don’t store your passwords or usernames on your smartphone.
If you use public Wi-Fi to shop online or to access your bank account, remember that hotspots do not give any encryption security. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, use a VPN – which will secure your smartphone from attackers and thieves.

4. Turn off Bluetooth or NFC (Near Field Communication)
Leaving Bluetooth or NFC on is an open invitation for thieves to access your smartphone device and steal your personal data. A good rule of thumb to follow is always turn off Bluetooth, or any other services, once you finished using it, or switch mode to “not discoverable.”

5. Back up the data on your smartphone
If you’ve misplaced your phone or it has been stolen, you can remotely wipe all your personal data from your smartphone. iOS users can find out more information from Apple support, and Android users can check out Google support.

Remember it’s up to you to secure your smartphone and keep your data safe!
The FCC has plenty more advice and on how to secure your smartphone, as well as tips to secure your Windows phone, and Blackberry.
So, now you know how to secure your smartphone!

More information about Hide My Ass! can be found on our website or you can always drop us an email!

Name of the Provider	Website Address
Hide My Ass	Visit Provider
Strong VPN	Visit Provider
Switch VPN	Visit Provider
Pure VPN	Visit Provider
IPVanish VPN	Visit Provider
Hotspot Shield Elite	Visit Provider