We've got used to depending on our mobile phones more and more. With the relentless appearance of new applications, we use our telephones to an ever-greater extent and for a wider range of tasks. Consequently, we keep more and more data about ourselves on our Smartphones.
Have you ever stopped to think what someone might find out about you if they found your lost phone (or if it were stolen)? Your contacts, photos, videos, schedules, access to all the applications you use…
Below are some recommendations and tips to avoid problems.
1. Keep your system up-to-date
A basic security rule that's also applicable to Smartphones is to keep your system up-to-date. Both the operating system and the applications on your mobile: always try use the latest version. If any security problem has been detected, it will certainly have been resolved in the newest versions.
2. Block access
Put a password on your phone to block it when it's not in use. If you use Android, you can use the typical swipe pattern offered by this system. On iPhone and other devices you can use a conventional password to unblock your phone.
3. Back-up copies
Another great classic that's also applicable to the world of Smartphones are back-up copies. You should routinely make back-up copies of the data on your phone or synchronise them using a service such as Google or Dropbox accounts. You'll be truly thankful if you ever lose your phone.
4. If you lose your phone…
On the other hand, if you've lost your Smartphone, remember that, if you're an iPhone user, you have the Find My iPhone application, which helps you to locate your phone via a website application. For Android you have Wheres My Droid, with similar functions, and for Blackberry, Blackberry Protect.
If that doesn't work and, unfortunately, you believe you've lost your terminal forever, remember you can remotely wipe your phone data using these same applications.
Would you recommend anything else?
