Mobile phones are an important part of our daily life. They store more personal information than ever before, so it’s important to protect them from cyber threats.
Your mobile phone contains sensitive emails, financial transactions, and other important data that you want to protect.
Whether you use an iPhone or an Android device, it’s important to keep your smartphone safe and private.
Here are some simple steps to harden your device and keep your phone safe.
Huawei Mate 60 Pro smartphone (Huawei.com)
1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your online accounts. In addition to your password, you will also need to enter a unique code that will be sent to your phone or email each time you log in. This usually involves receiving a code from another device or via SMS. This way, even if someone steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the code.
You should enable 2FA for accounts that contain sensitive or personal information, such as email, social media, bank accounts, and shopping accounts. Doing so will prevent hackers from stealing your girlfriend’s identity, money, and data. 2FA is especially important when using public or shared devices, such as computers in libraries or cafes, where passwords can be easily compromised. 2FA can also help you recover your account if you forget your password or lose access to your device. Enabling 2FA on both iPhone and Android smartphones is easy.
For iPhone:
- invite setting
- Please tap Apple ID (your name) at the top of the screen
- select Sign-in and security (or password and security (iOS 16 and earlier)
- Tap Turn on two-factor authentication and continue
- you will be asked to enter. telephone number Where you would like to receive your verification code. This can be your iPhone number. As you type, you will see a code to enter.
Steps to enable two-factor authentication on iPhone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
More information: Top 5 cell phone boosters
For android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android smartphone manufacturer
- go to setting
- Scroll down and tap “Google” (or tap your profile picture on a Samsung phone)
- select “safety” or “Security and Privacy”
- Tap “Two-step authentication” and follow the setup process
- You will then be asked to verify your identity by entering your email address to send a verification email.click I send a mail
Steps to set up two-factor authentication on Android (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
2. Perform regular software updates
Developers frequently release updates to patch vulnerabilities and improve overall security. Both Apple and Android issue updates regularly, so check back. install them frequent.
3. Check app permissions
Apps often request access to various features and data on your smartphone, such as location, photos, live activity, microphone, camera, Face ID, and cellular data. Restricting access to only essential features increases your privacy and reduces the chance that your app will mishandle your data.
For iPhone:
- go to setting
- Scroll down and Select app I would like to review it. This example checks permissions for the Apple Fitness app.
- Adjust. authority as needed. In this case, you can limit Siri and search, notifications, live activity, and cellular data.
Steps to check app permissions on iPhone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
For android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android smartphone manufacturer
- invite setting
- tap app
- choose app What you want to adjust permissions for. This example uses the Google app.
- Tap authority. A list of privileges appears under ALLOWED.
- Let’s say you don’t want to allow camera permissions.click camera
Steps to check app permissions on Android (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
- A window will pop up. 3 options. Allow only while using the app, ask every time, or never allow. Tap the one you like.
Steps to check app permissions on Android (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
more: Which apps are draining your phone’s battery?
4. Prevent sensitive notifications from appearing on the lock screen
You can prevent sensitive notifications from appearing on your lock screen to prevent easy access to your private messages, emails, and other sensitive information.
For iPhone:
- invite setting
- tap notification
- choose app I would like to make adjustments. In this example, we chose Amazon.
- Scroll down and toggle off under “Alerts” lock screen
Steps to stop notifications from appearing on your iPhone’s lock screen (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
For android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android smartphone manufacturer
- go to setting
- tap Apps and notifications (If you are using Samsung, skip this step)
- select notification
- Select apps and turn them off lock screen notification (For Samsung mobile phones, Lock screen notification Then delete the following apps Show content)
Steps to prevent notifications from appearing on Android lock screen (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
5. Install good antivirus software on all your devices
effective antivirus software This is especially necessary to protect yourself from scammers and hackers who try to steal your money and personal information through phishing. The best way to protect yourself from clicking on malicious links, fake websites, phishing emails, and text messages is to have antivirus protection installed and actively running on all your devices. This is great for stopping and alerting you to malware in your system and ultimately protecting you from hacking.
6. Prioritize regular backups to protect your data
make data backup Regular maintenance of your smartphone is very important. This protects you from uncertainty. Whether it’s a hardware failure or a security breach, up-to-date backups help you recover quickly.
New iPhone security threat lets hackers spy on your phone
7. Enable biometric authentication
When using biometric authentication iPhone or AndroidYou can prevent others from unlocking your phone or accessing your apps using fingerprints, facial recognition, and more.
For iPhone:
- invite setting
- select Touch ID and passcode or Face ID and passcode
- Please enter your ~ passcode
- after that, To enable Access certain apps using Touch ID or Face ID. Under “Use FACE ID for”: Toggle upon Options like unlock iPhone, iTunes and App Store, Wallet and Apple Pay, password autofill, and other apps
Steps to enable biometrics on iPhone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
For android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android smartphone manufacturer
- go to setting
- Tap safety or Security and privacy
- select Biometric unlocking (biometric authentication in Samsung)
- choose face recognition or fingerprint Follow the on-screen instructions
Steps to enable biometrics on Android (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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Note regarding some Android smartphones.can go to setting, Tap biometrics and security; click face recognition, Please enter your details pin, and turn on the switch face recognition unlock
8. Only download trusted apps
Download apps only from official app stores such as Google Play Store or Apple App Store. These stores have strict guidelines for app developers to follow to ensure safe use of their apps. Read reviews from other users before downloading the app. This helps identify potential issues with the app, such as privacy issues.
9. Enable spam filtering for text messages
Setting up a strong spam filter on your smartphone can protect you from unwanted text messages and scams. However, this may also filter out some legitimate messages from people not on your contact list.
For iPhone:
- Open setting
- Scroll down and tap message
- toggle on Filter unknown senders Filter messages from unknown contacts and add them to a separate list
For android:
Steps may vary depending on your device model and messaging app
- open message or phone app
- Please click initial in the upper right corner
- Go to message setting Look for options related to spam or junk messages. spam protection, tap on it
- Then turn on the switch “Enable spam protection”
- Your service provider may also offer apps that help prevent scam calls and messages.
More information: How to block unwanted spam emails
10. Invest in a protective screen and case
It’s important to take both digital and physical precautions to keep your smartphone safe. One easy way to do this is to protective screen And the case. These will help your device last longer and withstand everyday wear and tear.
Protective screen:
Protective case:
- Invest in a durable, shock-absorbing phone case to prevent accidental drops.
- Choose a case that covers ports and buttons to prevent dust and debris from damaging your device.
bonus chips
If you want to go the extra mile to keep your phone safe, consider how and where you use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or how you charge your device. Cybercriminals can use open connections to gain unauthorized access.
For Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:
- Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use.
- Avoid automatically connecting to open Wi-Fi networks.
- Please consider using . Virtual private network (VPN).
- Turn off Bluetooth in crowded areas to minimize the risk of unauthorized connections.
About charging:
- use only reliable charger And cable.
- Avoid charging your smartphone at public charging stations.
- USB cable for power supply or safety charging usb adapter When charging from unknown sources.
- public charging station Unreliable cables can pose data theft and malware risks.
- Using your own charger and cable or choosing a power-only cable will minimize these risks and keep your device safe.
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Cart important points
To protect your personal information from cyber threats, you need to protect your smartphone. These simple steps will go a long way in protecting your device and giving you peace of mind.
Should smartphone manufacturers do more to protect your privacy? Email us. Cyberguy.com/Contact
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