Seven ways to stay cyber safe on your mobile phone

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and with good reason. In the UK alone, cybercrime costs us about £27bn each year. Every few months, the biggest hacks hit the headlines, and usually involve large organisations, but everyone is vulnerable.

According to a report earlier this year by the DNS Foundation, online scams against individuals, averaged out, cost each of us £1,169 last year, totalling £6.8bn. Scams are on the rise, and 11% of adults said they’d been the victim of an online scam.

Whether you’re using a computer or your smartphone, here at Ecotalk we want you to protect yourself against cyber threats and scams. Perhaps you’re already clued up, but either way here’s a reminder of how to keep your phone cyber safe.

1 – Always keep passcode or biometric authentication enabled

It’s so tempting and so much quicker not to have to tap in a passcode or scan your thumb or face every time you want to use your smartphone. However, if you switch off this protection, that’s it – if someone gets hold of your mobile they’ll have access to any data on it.

2 – Beware of phishing scams

By email, text, social media or phone call, phishing is a daily occurrence. Whether it’s a company saying your email password needs to be updated, a phone call about home insulation or a text about a missing delivery item, a very useful rule of thumb is to never give your details to someone who has contacted you.

3 – Don’t use public Wi-Fi

Like point one on our list, it’s tempting and quicker to log onto an open Wi-Fi network which doesn’t require a password. The trouble is, it makes it easier for hackers to access your data. It’s safer to use a password-protected Wi-Fi network, but even then make sure you are connecting to secure sites with ‘https’. Switch off auto connection to Wi-Fi networks and for added safety turn Wi-Fi off when you’re out and not using it.

4 – Set strong hotspot passwords

If you create personal hotspots on your smartphone to give other devices mobile internet access, always use a strong password. Equally, set your phone to notify you or ask before joining other personal hotspots. Safety first.

5 – Enable your phone’s auto lock feature

Make sure auto lock is on as it will give you some level of security if your smartphone is misplaced or stolen. If your phone has stolen device protection, turn that on as well – you’ll then be able to track it using other devices on the same account.

6 – Keep your OS up to date

Regular software updates seem like such a bore. However, they often include security updates so if you want to keep your smartphone secure, make sure it’s always running on the most recent operating system.

7 – Only get apps from legitimate sources

Hackers use phony apps to plant malware on people’s phones and then capture their personal data. The best way to avoid this is to only use apps from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Both sources have strict quality and security guidelines to guarantee safety.

If you find an app you’re interested in via a search engine, check it’s on the relevant app store before installing. If it isn’t, but you still really want to use it, make sure it comes from a site with ‘https’ and check the reviews. Frequent updates can also be an indicator that it’s being used for something else. As a rule, we recommend sticking to established developers and purchasing only from official app stores.

Also see our article on Five ways of choosing a more ethical mobile phone.