Thursday, February 02, 2012
Anu
Most people are comfortable with the idea of installing anti-virus
software and security programs on their home PC in order to ward off
hackers and malicious code. But with the rise of smart-phone technology
people have become complacent about the safety of the personal
information that they carry around on the multi-tasking device in their
pockets. You have to think of a smart phone as a small computer which,
as with all such devices, is vulnerable to hackers unless you take steps
to protect it.
Passwords
The first step you should take is to add a password to your smart
phone that has to be entered when it is powered up and before the screen
is unlocked. All major platforms, including Android and Windows Phone,
will let you add a password in this way, usually as a series of four
numbers. This PIN gives you easy access to your mobile phone but
protects your details from casual browsers should it be lost or stolen.
App Understanding
The second thing to consider is that smart phones, just like
computers, will only get viruses if you download files without thinking
about the consequences. With Android in particular, hackers can create a
backdoor to your data through malicious applications that you might
have downloaded from the entirely legitimate Android Market. Google does
monitor its apps and selects only those which it deems to be harmless,
but this has not prevented a slew of dangerous programs slipping through
the net and playing havoc with some users’ phones.
Security Software
The best way to protect against infection in this manner is to be
cautious. Do a little research, read user reviews and check the web to
see whether or not an app is safe to use or harbouring some unwanted
digital parasite. There is, however, another way to protect your phone,
which is through dedicated anti-virus applications. Major software
companies who work on suites for Windows PCs have begun creating similar
programs designed to secure your smart phone and eradicate any
unwelcome visitors. You may have to pay for these services, but the
investment could be well worth it.
Wi-Fi Usage
Some hackers will be able to pull information from your phone without
even getting software on to it. This can happen if you are using an
unsecured wi-fi hotspot in a public place such as a cafe or library.
Cyber-criminals can monitor the airwaves and grab data without your
knowledge. The best advice is to only use public wi-fi networks for
basic tasks that do not involve the transfer of personal information.
Ideally, for improved security you should rely on your smart phone’s own
3G connection to go online when you are out and about. Your
password-protected, encrypted wi-fi at home is good alternative if you
are worried about your smart phone’s monthly data allowance.
Update Your Mobile OS
You would not leave your Windows PC without the latest updates for
too long for fear of a virus exploiting a recently patched loophole. The
same should apply to your smart phone. Some mobile platforms are
updated more regularly than others, but you should be able to check
directly on your handset or by plugging your phone into your PC via USB.
Common sense can be your most powerful tool when it comes to
smart-phone security. These tips have hopefully revealed a bit more
about the murky techniques of mobile hackers and how best to avoid being
stung by them.
Posted in
0 comments:
Post a Comment