Six Tips To Keep Your Phone Secure

Updated on November 9, 2023.

To keep your phone secure, you should always keep your phone locked when you’re not using it, only download apps from trusted sources, keep your phone’s Operating System (OS) up-to-date, avoid clicking unsolicited links in text messages, avoid using public WiFi networks and regularly back up your data. 

Continue reading to learn more tips on how to keep your phone secure and why it’s important to follow these tips. 

1. Always Keep Your Phone Locked

Keeping your phone locked with a strong passcode is one of the simplest ways to protect your phone from intruders. If your phone allows you to use biometrics to unlock it, such as Face ID, enabling it is also a good option. Keeping your phone locked with a passcode and biometrics is extremely important, especially if you ever misplace or lose your phone, or if it is stolen. Having your phone locked will prevent anyone from physically being able to access private information on your phone, like private messages and saved credit card information. 

It can be particularly dangerous to not have a passcode or biometrics on your phone if you have Apple Pay or Google Pay set up because if a cybercriminal gets a hold of your device, they’ll be able to make purchases using those enabled features. 

2. Only Download Apps From Trusted Stores

It’s important that you only download apps on your phone from trusted app stores. Downloading apps from trusted app stores is particularly important for Android users since Android devices are more vulnerable to cyber attacks. Their vulnerability is due to their dependence on open-source code – meaning Android users can modify the operating system of their devices. However, too much modification can compromise the security of a device. 

Limit downloads to known app stores or branded organizations you know and trust. Some trusted app stores include the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The app store you choose to download from depends on whether you’re using an Android or iOS device. 

Avoid downloading apps from unknown websites as apps from these sites may contain malware. Malware is malicious software that is used by cybercriminals to steal sensitive information. Malware can do different things depending on the type that gets installed on your device. For example, spyware allows cybercriminals to see your device’s screen and gain access to your device’s microphone and camera.  

3. Keep Your Phone Up-To-Date

Updating your phone whenever a new update becomes available is critical to ensure the security and reliability of your phone. These updates add essential features, remove bugs and most importantly, patch security flaws. Ignoring update notifications on your phone makes your phone more vulnerable to cyber attacks and malware. 

You should always make time to update your phone and other devices. If it’s an option, enable automatic updates so you won’t have to manually update your phone. 

4. Don’t Click Links in Text Messages Unless You Know the Sender 

Phishing attempts have become increasingly common, so anyone with a phone must be able to identify phishing text messages and emails. If you receive a text message from an unknown sender, be cautious about clicking any links or attachments within it. These links and attachments can trigger a malware infection that can lead to your private information being stolen. The links can also take you to spoofed websites that are designed to look legitimate but are meant to steal your personal information. 

Be wary that some phishing texts will also spoof their phone numbers to make it seem as though it’s coming from someone you know or a company you have an account with. If a text message claims to be from a company and urges you to click on a link, navigate to the company’s official website on your own, or their mobile application. If a text message claims to be a family, friend or coworker and is also urging you to click on a link, contact them through another form of communication to make sure they were the one who actually sent it. 

5. Avoid Using Public WiFi

Using public WiFi from any device poses a threat to your online security. One of the most common cyber attacks that occurs while on public WiFi is called a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack. During a MITM attack, cybercriminals attempt to intercept the data being sent between two individuals and use it for malicious purposes. Because anyone can connect to a public WiFi network, you have no idea who may be watching and waiting to steal your data. 

If you have no other choice but to use a public WiFi network, connect to a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) before connecting to the WiFi. A VPN prevents cybercriminals from being able to intercept your data since it encrypts your internet traffic while on the network. A VPN also prevents cybercriminals from knowing your location since it masks your IP address. 

6. Regularly Back Up Your Data

If your phone were to get breached by a cybercriminal, there is the possibility of getting your data stolen. Whether it be a ransomware attack or your data getting completely erased from your phone, you need to be able to restore your data. Not to mention, other circumstances could wipe the data from your phone such as human error, hardware failure, losing it or getting it stolen. This is why it’s critically important that you always have your data, photos and videos backed up in cloud-based secure file storage so you can access your data, even in a worst-case scenario. 

Some password managers, such as Keeper Security, offer Secure File Storage so you can securely store all your important files, images and documents in one place, along with your passwords. All the data stored in your password manager’s vault is encrypted and only you have the means to access the stored data with your master password. You’ll be able to access your stored data from anywhere, and despite what happens to your phone, it will always be available. 

Why Is It Important To Keep My Phone Secure?

It’s important to keep your phone secure because your phone contains sensitive information that cybercriminals want to get their hands on. Cybercriminals are aware that an easy way to steal someone’s personal information is by targeting their mobile device – that’s why attacks on mobile devices are becoming increasingly common.

According to Zimperium’s 2023 Global Mobile Threat Report, the average number of unique malware samples on mobile devices grew 51% in 2022 – meaning cybercriminals are constantly creating new malware to specifically target mobile devices. The report also found that 80% of phishing attacks targeted mobile devices and users are 6-10 times more likely to fall for SMS-based phishing attacks than email-based phishing attacks. Because users are more likely to fall for SMS phishing attacks, cybercriminals will continue to increase their efforts in sending them. 

Keep Your Phone Secure at All Times

Keeping your phone secure has always been important, but as mobile device attacks increase, keeping your phone secure is becoming crucial to prevent cybercriminals from getting your sensitive data. 

By following the tips mentioned above, you can drastically improve the security of your mobile device and mitigate the risks of mobile device attacks.