Five tips to keeping your smartphone safe
Fraud Protection month is official over but ProtectionPower.ca, which offers identity theft protection resources and services to Canadians, says to remember these smartphone safety tips all year round.
You’re likely taking steps to protecting your computer, but what about your smartphone?
And I’m not referring to a hard-shell case that can shield your phone from damage if dropped – rather, what about scams, spam and viruses?
Considering your smartphone is a computer, malicious types are increasingly using these devices to get into your wallet.
ProtectionPower.ca has sent Sync a number of tips to better protect your personal and financial information when you’re on the go.
Why? Because fraudulent activity continues to rise in Canada, says Sylvain Patry, identity theft expert and senior vice-president of ProtectionPower.ca. “But together, we can stop this trend. In particular, we urge consumers to recognize emerging fraud threats, as criminals devise new schemes using the latest technology.”
And so take heed to these five tips to keeping your smartphone safe:
1. Your smartphone is a computer: Treat it like one. Install antivirus software (such as this one) and password-protect it at all times. Do not download attachments or questionable applications.
2. Is that app safe?: Only download apps from reputable sources and research the applications fully before you do so. Don’t let the excitement of a new feature get in the way of caution! Pay attention to permissions: if an app says it needs to do something you don’t think it should, don’t download it.
3. Beware of interceptions: Text messages, in particular, are relatively easy to intercept. Don’t share any important information, account numbers or passwords via text message.
4. Safe disposal: Canadians upgrade their mobile devices, on average, every 18 months. That’s a lot of old phones! Before you sell, toss or recycle your phone, make sure all contacts and personal information has been deleted. Read your user’s manual for specific instructions; delete the contacts in your phone book. Erase text messages, call history, voice mails, saved photos, and web search history.
5. Stay alert: You may not realize someone has intercepted an important text message or captured your bank account password through your phone. Examine every bank and credit card statement; and check your credit report frequently.
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