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Keeping Your Apps and Devices Safe: What Every User Needs to Know
How you can make sure you’re protected from attacks, hacks, and security breaches online
A strong, difficult-to-decipher password is a basic component of staying safe online. But in an age where fraudsters are increasingly becoming crafty with how they carry out their schemes, coming up with a strong password is no longer enough.
Today, the ordinary gadget and app user is up against a number of security challenges. Here, potential threats while using public WiFi, SMS scams, and call scams are only the tip of the iceberg. With security threats coming from all directions, it’s best that users take it upon themselves to learn about and apply extra means of protection.
Ahead, updated security tips that go beyond the basics. Learn how you can protect yourself from personal data leaks and ensure that you’re all set with strong device security.
Use a lock screen password
When setting up your lock screen password, refrain from using combinations relating to birthdays, addresses, predictable number patterns, or numbers that appear in succession. “1234,” “4321,” “8888” and anything similar should be out of the question. Be sure to change your lock screen password regularly, too (at least every six months).
Enable biometrics unlocking
Numbered passcodes are much easier to get through, of course, compared to biometric data. Whenever possible, prioritize fingerprint and facial recognition when you set up your security configurations.
Enable a PIN for mobile applications
For apps where sensitive or personal information (conversations included and most especially financial information) appear or are stored, check the settings to see if password protection is available. Activate this as an added layer of security.
Set up two-factor authentication
Online accounts such as social media profiles, that can be accessed on any server or device remain susceptible to all sorts of hacking and data leaks. How then can individual users stay secure? Apart from frequently conducting a security sweep or checkup and ensuring you don’t use the same password for multiple accounts, users are advised to set up two-factor authentication, which requires you to input a code sent to your device via SMS, Viber, phone call, or email, before being able to get through to your account.
In addition to the steps above, there are other ways you can keep your apps and gadgets safe. Double-down on your efforts by making sure you do the following:
Avoid storing files that contain your passwords and other sensitive account details on a single or the same device
Avoid using the same password for any number of apps, devices or online accounts
Avoid using public USB charging ports
Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks
Set up account recovery using your most secure email
Put up privacy screen protectors on your phone
Never leave your devices unattended
At Globe, protecting subscribers from scammers is a major point of concern in 2022. To double down on efforts, the service provider has put in place both proactive and reactive daily monitoring of suspicious callers, blocking of fraudulent calling numbers, and the release of regular awareness campaigns, among other efforts.
To learn more about Globe’s cybersecurity mission, visit the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy page.
