A Guide to Mobile Device Safety
Because of our increasing reliance on smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, it’s critical to make mobile device safety a priority. Users must emphasize mobile device safety to safeguard sensitive information and protect against security threats.
Why mobile device safety is so important
Mobile devices store vast amounts of personal information, including contacts, messages, photos and financial data. Ensuring the safety of this information is essential to prevent unauthorized access and potential misuse.
Mobile devices are increasingly used for identity verification and access to sensitive accounts. If a device is compromised, it could lead to identity theft, with potential consequences such as financial loss, damaged credit and legal issues.
Many people use mobile devices for online banking, shopping and financial transactions. A compromised device could lead to unauthorized access to banking details, credit card information and other financial assets.
Mobile device safety checklist
Because mobile devices face threats from a variety of sources, it’s recommended that you implement the following best practices to use your mobile device safely and securely.
By following this checklist, you can help to enhance the security of your mobile device and better protect your personal information.
Use a complex and unique passcode or password to unlock your device. Avoid easily guessable codes like "1234" or "password."
Enable biometric authentication methods such as fingerprint recognition or facial recognition if your device supports them.
Keep your device's operating system, apps and security software up to date. Manufacturers and developers regularly release updates to address security vulnerabilities.
Download apps only from official app stores. Review and manage app permissions. Only grant necessary permissions to apps, and be cautious about granting access to sensitive information.
Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive transactions.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening attachments from unknown sources. And beware of “spoofed” texts and emails that appear to come from legitimate organizations.
Stay informed about the latest security threats and best practices. Be aware of common scams and phishing techniques.
Stay informed, vigilant and secure.
To learn more about fraud prevention and cybersecurity, visit key.com/consumersecurity.