How to Keep Your Mobile Data Private

For many of us, our smartphones function as our personal assistants, navigators, wallets, computers, cameras, virtual shopping malls, and, oh yeah, phones. Such convenience! But as we manage more and more of our lives on mobile devices, we’re also entrusting more and more personal information to them. To keep all that information safe, we need to be smart about how we use and protect our devices.

Here are ten steps to keep your information safe and protect your privacy:

1. Use a lock-screen and multiple levels of device protection. Your devices go with you everywhere, so they could easily fall into the wrong hands. To prevent unauthorized access, use every layer of protection available. Make sure the screen is set to lock after a short period of inactivity. Set a PIN for your device and set up a biometric control such as face ID or fingerprint recognition as an alternate way to unlock the device.
2. Set passwords for apps. Set passwords on any apps that deal with sensitive information, such as a banking or health app. (Don’t just setup your logins using Google or Facebook, even if it is tempting not to have to create another username/password.) Some apps may allow you to use the biometrics on your phone. Wherever possible, set up two-factor authentication for access to accounts. Also, some websites and applications will automatically fill in your username or other information, so turn off that feature.
3. Turn on encryption. Whenever possible, opt to encrypt your data. On iOS devices, data is encrypted if you set a passcode or use fingerprint recognition. On Android devices, encryption can be turned on in Settings.
4. Update software. There’s a reason why software needs to be updated. Though it may not always be convenient, keeping up to date with security patches is the best way to protect any device.
5. Install a security app. Anti-virus and anti-malware apps are available for mobile devices as well as desktop computers, and they’re a good investment.
6. Never transmit personal information over public wi-fi networks. Your cellular connection is more secure than a public wi-fi network, so turn wi-fi off for financial transactions, accessing medical portals, or anything else involving sensitive information. Better yet, use a VPN.
7. Manage access to location and other services. Your device’s camera, microphone, and Bluetooth can be used to track your location, and even spy on you. Make sure these services are turned off for apps that don’t need them. For other apps, make sure settings allow them to be used only when you’re using the software.
8. Prevent ad tracking. Mobile service providers also track your behavior and sell that information to advertisers, which can make you a target for scammers and phishing campaigns. There are options to stop ad tracking under your device’s privacy settings for iOS and Android.
9. Back up your device regularly! You can have your device back up continuously to the cloud (but not over public wi-fi networks, please) or make backups on your desktop computer. Having a backup protects you if your device is damaged or if your device is stolen and you need to remotely delete the data on it.
10. Set up device finder/remote wipe. A device finder app allows you to locate your device if it’s lost, and the remote wipe feature destroys all the data on it. That way, you can tell if your device has fallen into the wrong hands and keep the thief’s hands off your personal information. (This can’t be undone, so, again, have back-ups!)

That’s our top ten, but here’s a bonus tip: use common sense. Only download software and content from official app stores and content vendors. Don’t “jailbreak” or “root” your phone (override the manufacturer’s controls) so you can download unvetted or pirated material that could contain spyware or malware. And if you sell your device or send it for repairs, first remove the SIM and SD card that hold your data.

Finally, if your device goes missing, don’t wait to change account passwords and cancel credit cards that might have been linked to it. If you think about it, your mobile device holds a lot more personal information than a wallet, putting your identity and privacy at risk. So, treat it with the same care and urgency if it’s lost. That really is just common sense.