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Mildura Weekly : Friday April 4 2014 Vol 8 No 22
Contents
Mildura Weekly – 04/04/14 61 www.milduraphonebook.com.au SMARTPHONE SECURITY IN THE SPOTLIGHT Story by VINNIE RODI UNFORTUNATELY what most smartphone users fail to realise is that their phone isn’t just capable of making and receiving phone calls, it is in fact a very powerful mini-computer. The amount of sensitive data many of us store on our smart- phones is truly staggering, as the modern smartphone now pro- vides users with direct access to bank accounts, stores passwords to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and email accounts, while also hous- ing contact information relating to friends, colleagues and family. It’s no wonder hackers are now turning their attention toward gaining access to our phones. Having realised this fact, it will probably amaze you to discover how easy some people make it for hackers to gain access to all that private and potentially damaging information. Our smartphone’s ability to connect to other devices wirelessly means they can be hacked or com- promised while you as a user are doing your online banking – or even browsing the internet while out and about. If you’ve taken the right steps to protect yourself, losing your phone will simply be an annoy- ance, however if you have failed to safeguard your phone, you are actually setting yourself up for a seriously traumatic event. Here are 10 things smartphone users should do to protect their devices. 1. Have password protection It sounds simple but you would be amazed at how many people don’t password protect their phone. While not a full-proof way of keeping hackers out, pass code protection is a great way to stop people from having access to per- sonal information. The latest version of the iPhone – the 5S – has even implemented a fingerprint pass code function, meaning your phone will open for you, and only you. A phone pass code works the samewayasaguarddog–it’sa deterrent. Having a password/pass code may be all it takes to force a would-be hacker to give up their attempt and move on to another target – potentially an easier one. 2. Shop online with an app in- stead of your phone’s internet browser If presented with a choice of shopping online by using your phone’s browser or an app – al- ways use an app! Unlike internet browsers, dedi- cated shopping apps are designed to ward scams, whereas by using an internet browser, you are actu- ally prone to all sorts of cyber at- tacks. Most of the big shopping groups heavily promote their apps, so they aren’t too hard to find in the App or Google Play Stores. 3. Do not remain logged into banking, PayPal, eBay, or other sensitive apps I have to admit I myself have been guilty of this one... It’s actually extremely easy to log into your bank account on your phone, and then simply for- get to log out. This habit becomes particu- larly dangerous if you are the type of person who doesn’t password protect their phone. Think about it... You’ve just transferred some funds or paid a bill, next thing you know some- thing distracts you and you put the phone down. Without realising it you have remained logged into your bank account, with your phone then potentially left unattended if you are at work, at a cafe etc. All it takes from there is for an untrustworthy person to pick up your phone, realise they have access to your bank account, and you could probably make up the rest from there. Another tip is to refrain from allowing these types of apps to remember you user ID and pass- words, by doing so you make it easier for a thief to cause financial disaster. Turning off your device every now and then is also a good way of ensuring you’re logged out of any apps. 4. Do not automatically connect to available WiFi connections Whether you are using your laptop, tablet or smartphone, switching off the feature that con- nects to nearby WiFi networks automatically could be a saving grace. By allowing your phone to connect automatically to wireless networks you are actually opening yourself up to cyber attacks. Any hacker worth their salt would have access to the right software that could easily hack your phone once connected to their WiFi, so the easy thing to do is monitor exactly which wireless connections your phone latches onto. 5. Do not leave Bluetooth con- nections open Similar to WiFi, a hacker can exploit an open Bluetooth con- nection on your phone. While this type of hack re- quires the intruder to be relatively close to you, the intrusion can oc- cur undetected in a restaurant, air- port terminal etc. While a wonderful function for operating hands-free devices or even wireless headphones, the best practice when it comes to Bluetooth is to only turn it on when needed. It’s also a major drain on bat- tery life, so minimal use is highly recommended. 6. Failing to properly purge data from old smartphones This is probably one of the most common mistakes smart- phone users make. The problem with smart- phones is that there is always something new and better on the market, meaning our current phones always seem outdated. If, like me, you’re the type to ‘update’ your phone every couple of years, it’s important to erase sensitive and personal data from your old model – especially if you plan on donating it or selling it to someone else. Short of physically destroying your device (which is the only surefire way to delete data), most phones come with an option of ‘restoring’ the phone to what’s known as factory settings – es - sentially leaving it the way it was when it came out of the box. 7. Don’t download ‘free’ apps that aren’t actually free Some Apps that call them- selves ‘free’ are little more than thinly-disguised data thieves. Downloading one of these apps actually provides hackers with complete access to your phone and all the information contained within it. Such apps can also turn your phone into a launch pad from which scammers can attack other phones with SMS texts and other scams. Be smart and discreet about what you download. Read reviews first, and make sure apps you download come from reputable sources, and are the genuine ar- ticle. 8. Avoid storing sensitive data on phones As previously mentioned many people store passwords, pins, credit card or bank account information on their smartphone. In a world dominated by pins and passwords it can become quite easy to lose track of which pass- word belongs to which account, and it’s why ticking that ‘remem- ber my password’ box becomes so attractive to so many people, and why it’s a hackers haven. 9. Remember to clear browser history every now or then Not clearing the browser his- tory on your phone can be just as dangerous as staying logged into the website of your bank or your favourite store. By retracing your steps, a phone thief can use your history to hijack accounts, steal money or simply wreck havoc. Most browsers have a ‘clear browser history’ option in the set- tings menu, and it’s highly recom- mended that you use this function regularly. 10. Look at installing remote wiping software and antivirus apps on your phone There are some very reputable apps and services out there that enable you to locate your phone – and also wipe its data – if it’s lost or stolen. And while tech-savvy hackers may be able to disengage these ap- plications, it’s still one more layer of protection. Several paid and free anti-virus protection is also available for smartphones, and are certainly worth having a look at. A simple search in the App and Google Play Stores provides you with access to the top rated antivi- rus apps on the market. From there it’s simply a matter of finding the right app for you, installing it, and letting it go to work! What can I do to protect my phone? produced by local people, for local people Contact James today to arrange an appointment about advertising in the 2015 Green & Gold Mildura Phonebook, as well as our digital packages. Introducing James Leishman 2015 advertising opportunities are now available. Call James to discuss our cost effective early bird packages. *Conditions apply. T 5021 1782 | M 0439 657 873 | E james.leishman@milduraweekly.com.au | 424 San Mateo Avenue, Mildura | www.milduraphonebook.com.au The Mildura Phonebook Manager/Advertising Consultant
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Friday March 28 2014 Vol 8 No 21
Friday April 11 2014 Vol 8 No 23
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