If you think of your smartphone as just a phone, rather than a very powerful mini-computer that happens to make phone calls, you may be cruising for a world of pain. That’s because the amount of sensitive data many of us store on our phones is truly staggering.
Despite our best intentions, how many of us have left our phones — or come dangerously close to leaving them. Equally unpleasant, your phone could be hacked or compromised by a virus while you are doing online banking — or browsing the Internet.
To help you prepare your defenses, here are the 10 dumbest things that people do (or fail to do) with their smartphones.
1) No password protection.
2) Shop online with an Internet browser instead of a shopping app.
Using your phone’s browser versus Amazon’s app, use the app! Unlike browsers, dedicated shopping apps are designed to ward off phishing and other kinds of scams. (Before you download it, just make sure it’s really their official app!)
3) Remain logged into banking, PayPal, eBay, and other sensitive apps.
When you finish banking or shopping, make sure to log out. And NEVER click the box asking the app to save your user ID or password. If a thief gets a hold of a phone that is already logged into sensitive accounts — especially if that phone has no password.
4) Automatically connect to any available WiFi connections.
Switch off the feature that connects to nearby WiFi networks automatically. Otherwise, hackers with the right software can easily hack your phone.
5) Leave Bluetooth connections open.
Bluejacking, Bluesnarfing, Bluebugging. These are all words that describe a hacker exploiting the open Bluetooth connection on your phone.
6) Fail to properly purge data from old smartphones.
Many people fail to remove sensitive, personal data from their smartphone before selling it. Deleting data before getting rid of your phone is simple common sense.
7) Download “free” apps that aren’t actually free.
Some Apps that “free” are actually data thieves. The app access to your phone, which a fraudster can use to steal your credit card and bank account info. Such apps also can turn your phone into a launch pad from which scammers can attack other peoples’ phones with SMS texts and Smishing scams. Read reviews first, and make sure the apps you download come from reputable sources.
8) Storing sensitive data on phones.
Some people even label the document or email “passwords,” making them especially easy prey for hackers and scammers. Make sure to delete all documents and emails containing sensitive information from your phone.
9) Failing to clear browser history.
Not clearing the browser history on your phone can be just as dangerous as staying logged into the website of your bank or your favorite store (see mistake #3). By retracing your steps, a phone thief can use your history to hijack your accounts, steal your money and wreck havoc.
10) No remote wiping software.
Various apps and services enable you to locate your phone, and also wipe its data clean, if it’s lost or stolen. Tech-savvy hackers may be able to disengage these applications, but it’s just one more layer of protection you can use to reduce your risks if you ever lose your phone.
By Adam Levin | Credit.com
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