In 2014, 59 percent of organizations saw a rise in mobile device threats, according to a report by Cyber Edge. Meanwhile, the cyber security company Lookout reported a 75 percent increase in Android mobile malware encounter rates in the United States. Mobile devices are especially prone to data breaches because of their high-volume usage for communication, online shopping and managing your day-to-day. In fact, Informative Mobile reports that Americans now spend 4.7 hours on their smartphones.
Keeping your devices and communication secure is essential for both enterprises and consumers. While there is no cure-all, there is technology that helps keep your communication safer. Here are five tips to get started.
Get a Secure Device
Lay a foundation for security by choosing the right device. Smartphones that meet industry standards come with security features, such as a pin code or fingerprint scan option. However, not all devices offer the same security protocols. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Note5 features KNOX with encrypted technology, which keeps your communication, images and files safe.
Bring your own device (BYOD) initiatives have made it easier for employees to work from anywhere, but they also increase your vulnerability and potential for malware spreading into your business. To prevent this from happening, your employees can separate their work and personal data in the KNOX Workspace. This enables employees to use the same device for work and pleasure without potentially compromising secure data.
Use Secure Communication Apps
Add an extra layer of protection to your smartphone with the Threema secure messaging app. This app encrypts all of your communication, including messages, group chats, files and status messages. In layman’s terms, only you and the intended recipient can ever read the communication. The app comes with a random ID for identification, so your phone number or email address isn’t required to use the app.
The communications security app Signal from Whisper Systems earned raving fans, including whistleblower Edward Snowden. Signal enables you to send group chat messages, photos and video messages without SMS and MMS fees. The app is private, and even the team at Signal can’t read your messages. Unlike Threema, Signal is free and supported by loyal community donations and grants.
Only download and use trusted apps from online stores, like Google Play or iTunes. Some apps created by third parties and unknown providers can install malware on your devices, which lets them listen in on your communications and access your phone.
Rely on Your Phone’s Security Features
Consumer Reports found that almost 40 percent of those surveyed don’t take minimal security measures with their smartphones, such as using a screen lock, backing up data or installing an app to locate a missing device. Relying on these basic features could stop malicious activity in its tracks and add an extra layer of protection.
Another crucial way to keep your device secure is to update your operating system. This step is free, highly effective and able to stop some malware from coming through because your device will have the latest security standards available.
