9 Tips To Secure Your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android Smartphone

Smartphones are now a widespread communication, leisure and even work device.  There are a large number of work productivity apps which help get work accomplished more effectively and while on the go. However as the saying goes "with great power comes great responsibility"!  A smartphone can easily be lost or stolen and an iPad/iPod forgotten by mistake. And Cyber crooks are constantly searching for ways to compromise gadgets in order to gain access to private or sensitive information.

9 Tips To Secure Your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android smartphone

Whether you are currently using your gadgets for business or entertainment or even both, here are 9 tips to secure your commercially sensitive paperwork and personal data.

1. Set Up A Strong Password

Perhaps it is a little less practical to have to type in a password in order to log on to your device, but it is a basic way to thwart potential meddlers. Adjust your devices to immediately lock after a couple of minutes and cannot be used without the password input. Avoid using auto-complete features which recall usernames and/or passwords.  Much like any password, it should not be one that is easy to figure out or crack.  Most of SIM cards are locked by a PIN number by default (usually 0000) but you can still put a PIN or change it to ensure that crooks cannot make use of it in another phone to make calls. So creating a strong password is crucial to secure your smartphone and the rest of your gadgets. Please have a look at this post here to create an uncrackable password.

2. Download Your Applications From trustworthy App Stores

Stay away from downloading applications that are hot off the press to the market, particularly for Android devices.  Cyber crooks develop apps with malicious code that seem legitimate and genuine but can generate damage to your device.  Do not download any app unless it has a remarkably big deal of downloads and positive feedback.

Users of Windows mobile phones and iPhones are only allowed to install apps from the Marketplace or iTunes Store so that you know the application has been officially signed minimizing any threat.  Android however, as being an open source, does not comply with the same process but along with Google Play Store you can consider this list of reliable app stores too to make sure your devices stay secure and safe.

3. Increase Your Level of Privacy

Be cautious about app settings mainly when they require your location or when they prompt you to save that personal or payment information within? Do they really need that?

Even though the application needs particular information, the way it is stored may not be as secure and safe as we would  like.  Besides, it may often be offered to third parties (generally for marketing purposes) which means data is in jeopardy from inadequate security practises by these types of enterprises.

4. Maintain Applications and Device Software updated

In the same manner that computer programs and operating systems should be kept updated to keep ahead of crooks who are coming up with new techniques to exploit your system, mobile OS's and applications need to be constantly updated. Apply any available updates on a regular basis and opt for automatic updates as well. Therefore, to secure your smartphone, iPad, iPhone or whichever device you own, keep them constantly up-to-date.

5. Make use of Remote Tools

Enable remote wipe feature and employ tracing and tracking softwares.  Remote wipe options signifies in case the gadget is lost or stolen, any kind of sensitive data can be wiped which resets the device to its factory defaults.

The latest Windows Phones involve a "Find My Phone" function that can locate a lost phone, lock it and wipe it off distantly in order that no one can gain access to to the saved data. Enabling this feature on your smartphone will definitely provide your devices high security in case of loss or stealth.

6. Be mindful Of Public Wi-Fi Networks

Wi-Fi function should be disabled when not in use to prevent exposing  your devices to unwanted connections; this does extends the battery life!

If you are connecting via Wi-Fi, try to use a secured network that requires a password. In case you are using unsecure or open Wi-Fi network, steer clear of performing transactions that involve private or monetary details such as online banking or purchasing. Briefly, in order to secure your devices, I advise you to stay away from public WiFi networks except in need.

7. Understand What Links To Click On

Emails that entails malicious hyperlinks can compromise a mobile device in the same manner for a desktop computer.  If accessing a website in which personal or private information will be shared, ensure it has an 'https' instead of 'http' at the beginning of the URL. Nevertheless this is not infallible, so be certain you are using a secure network to secure your smartphone or iPhone as well. 

8. Protect Your Highly Sensitive Data

Particularly if you have sensitive personal or business oriented data on your mobile device, utilize an encryption option.  A Mobile Device Management solution which can be implemented as a cloud centered service gives software distribution, security and service management for smartphones. Needless to say, back it up. Check out the backup options offered with every device, if not applying a third party alternative.

9. Clean Up Your Device Before Discarding Or Recycling

In case your device is sold, reused, thrown away or recycled  delete any sensitive data and remove or totally erase SIM and SD cards. Doing so, this will reduce the risk of recovering your sensitive data and thus ensuring "total" security of your recycled device.

Eventually, these were the 9 tips that you may keep in mind in order to secure your Android smartphone, iPad, iPod touch and/or your iPhone from any potential online stealth by cyber crooks.