It’s no secret that smartphone addiction is a real thing. We all know someone who can’t go more than a few hours without checking their phone, and we’ve all probably been guilty of it ourselves from time to time. Smartphones have become such an integral part of our lives that it’s hard to imagine going back to a time before they existed. But with great convenience comes great responsibility, and unfortunately many people are not taking the necessary precautions to keep their phones secure. In this blog post, we will discuss 5 mistakes that are making your smartphone less secure and how to fix them!
1. Ignoring Security Updates
Ignoring security updates is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to your smartphone’s security. Just like your computer, your phone needs regular updates to patch any security vulnerabilities that may have been discovered. Unfortunately, many people either don’t know about these updates or they simply don’t bother to install them. This leaves their phones open to attack from malicious software and hackers. The solution is simple: make sure you install any security updates that are released for your phone as soon as they’re available.
2. Leaving Bluetooth on All the Time
Leaving Bluetooth on makes your phone visible to everyone around you, and if you’re not careful, someone could easily connect to your phone without you even knowing. If you must use Bluetooth, be sure to only turn it on when you need it and turn it off as soon as you’re done. You should also avoid using public Wi-Fi whenever possible, as this can leave your phone vulnerable to attack. Stick to using your data plan or a secure, private Wi-Fi network instead.
3. Connecting to Public Wi-Fi
One of the most common mistakes people make is connecting to public Wi-Fi without thinking twice about it. We’ve all been there before; you’re out and about, trying to save your data plan, so you connect to the first available Wi-Fi network without giving it a second thought. But did you know that public Wi-Fi is one of the least secure ways to connect to the internet? Hackers can easily set up fake Wi-Fi networks in public places and if you’re not careful, you could connect right to their network without even realizing it.
If you must connect to public Wi-Fi, there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk:
– Connect to networks that require a password. This will help to ensure that you’re connecting to a legitimate network and not a fake one set up by a hacker.
– Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities. If possible, wait until you’re back at home or in the office to check your bank account, access sensitive work documents, etc.
– Use a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your data and can help to keep you safe when using public Wi-Fi.
4. Relying on autofill forms and staying logged in
We all know the drill: we’re trying to check our email/social media/bank account while we’re out and about, and we get frustrated when we have to enter our username and password every time. So we enable autofill forms or stay logged in, thinking that this will save us time in the long run. But what we don’t realize is that by doing this, we are making it much easier for someone to access our accounts if our phone falls into the wrong hands.
If you absolutely must use autofill forms or stay logged in, make sure that your phone is locked with a strong password or passcode. That way, even if someone does manage to get their hands on your phone, they will not be able to access your accounts without your password.
5. Skipping the Android Antivirus
One of the most common mistakes people make is not installing an Android antivirus on their phone. This is a big mistake because Android phones are just as susceptible to viruses and malware as any other type of phone. There are many great anti-virus options available for Android, so there’s no excuse not to have one.
