Ah, smartphones. The wonderful technology that lets us call, text, email, and Facebook to our heart's content, all while throwing some digital angry birds. What's not to love?
Quite a lot, actually, if you fail to protect your privacy.
Smartphones can store and transmit a wide range of data that third parties can access – such as your contact list, your pictures, and your browsing history. They are also vulnerable to viruses and malware that can compromise your personal information. Many apps that you have downloaded or pre-installed use geo-location, which allows you to be tracked wherever you go. Using Wi-Fi hotspots are a great way to get around paying for data usage on your phone bill, Wi-Fi hotspots can also leave you vulnerable to intrusion.
Wondering if a smartphone is a good idea for your child?
Taylor Tompkins provides step by step instructions on how you can modify your child’s smart phone security settings to help you limit the phone’s applications that meet parental approval and empower your child to use their smartphone responsibly.
For more security tips for your SmartPhone, including a review of apps, how to secure your work email, access your bank from your mobile device, make safe purchases on your mobile, and reduce security breaches see, “Smartphone Security Guidance” (TigerMobiles.com)
Memory Devices Too
Sometimes we forget that our cell phones are memory devices, too. Plugging in your cell phone to a computer USB port might be convenient way to listen to music while you are at work or to charge up your phone – but it is also a way to upload viruses from the phone to the computer or to download data from the computer to the cell phone![clickToTweet tweet=” Don't let employees plug in their phones to your computers at work. #PrivacyAware” quote=” Don't let employees plug in their phones to your computers at work.”]
Do You Use a Digital Wallet?
Using your phone to pay for your purchases is the ultimate convenience. Not surprisingly, it comes with additional risks, too. VISA recommends users to keep “L-O-K” in mind to add extra layers of security to protect your digital wallet. See more details here:
How to “LOK” down your digital wallet
So how do you protect your mobile privacy?
Tip – Secure and protect your phone to protect your smartphone privacy.
Instructions
- Secure your phone with a unique password
- Protect your phone with security software and update its operating system when prompted
- Opt-out of the location service feature – many apps do not need geo-location enabled to work
- Limit the type of business you conduct using Wi-Fi hotspots. If you use Wi-Fi frequently, consider using a VPN connection. See the infographic from Point-Bl_nk Communications
- Turn off blue-tooth and Wi-Fi roaming; turn it on only when you need it
- Help the Good Samaritan return your lost phone; enable your screen lock display with a contact phone number or email to find you.
For more smartphone privacy tips, see Information Managers Data Privacy Day E-course. Get it before it's gone!
Resources
Ackroyd, Brandon. “Smartphone Security Guidance” (TigerMobiles.com) 2015- Dec-14.
Martin, Stacy. “Helpful or Creepy? The Creep-O-Meter Could Help You Find Out” Stay Safe Online Blog 2015-Nov-13.
Tompkin, Taylor. Empowering Your Child to Use Their Smartphone Responsibly, Stay Safe Online Blog, 2013-Jul-16.
See all the Data Privacy Day E-course resources posted each day on our website.
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