How to stay secure while using your mobile phone and why it’s important

It seems like we use our mobile devices for more and more tasks each day. Beyond being our preferred device for communication, the additional uses range from managing our money to tracking our productivity, shopping, and researching, we’re a swipe away from tackling almost every digital task.

But there’s also a dark side to using our smartphones for these functions. Cybercriminals are constantly trying to access people’s devices to steal data and infect them with malware.

Mobile device security is a top priority if you want your smartphone to make your life easier instead of more complicated. Below, the AXIA team discusses various mobile security threats and how you can protect yourself and your device from them.

Why Is Mobile Device Security important?

More and more organizations are making their services and websites mobile-friendly. While these services offer greater ease, they also leave you more vulnerable to hackers and other criminals whose mission is to target smartphones. If you don’t have the proper security, using your mobile device can make your online life riskier.

Each year, there is an increase in mobile malware attacks. Thousands of dangerous, fraudulent applications exist on websites and app stores, and more are being created by the week.

The more popular the mobile device, the more hackers target it because there are more users to target. In other words, if you have an iPhone or an Android phone, you may need to take extra security measures.

Luckily, you’ll have all the security you need if you use the AXIA Tel Encrypted Smartphone.

How Do You Know if Your Mobile Device Is Secure?

Protecting data requires you to make prudent, intelligent decisions about how you use your phone and what you install on it. As with other smart devices, smartphones include varying levels of built-in security. But ultimately, you’re the one who decides how secure your mobile device is.

If you’re mindful of the sites you visit, the links you click, and the payments you make, it will go a long way in boosting mobile device security. Installing a VPN and antivirus software can help cover some of your phone’s weak spots. And using an encrypted phone like the AXIA Tel device will mean your personal data and information is all but impenetrable.

Below, we’ll cover some of the built-in security features that various devices offer to protect their users’ privacy.

Built-In Security for Android Phones

Owned by Google, Android smartphones have a rudimentary level of built-in security to fend off hackers and malware. Here are five things that Android OS gets right:

1. You can physically protect your device using various “locks.” PINs, pattern passwords, and biometrics are among the choices.
2. Android OS routinely initiates automatic security updates to address current vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the software.
3. Google Play validates app authenticity on the storefront via a comprehensive suite of scanning tools.
4. Basic antivirus software helps users gauge the safety of apps.
5. All apps on an Android phone operate in an isolated “sandbox,” meaning they can only access the data you permit them to.

There is also plenty of room for improvement for Android OS. For example, many users accidentally grant their apps access to data, and retracting permissions after the fact can be challenging. Also, Google has not yet found a way to keep malware out of its app store, and thousands of people may download malware before it’s discovered and removed.

Another problem with Android OS is that users can download apps through other storefronts that may not be as secure as Google Play.

Lastly, the basic antivirus software that comes default on Android devices isn’t as effective as others. Viruses are often “authenticated” by Google and go on to infect devices.

Built-In Security for iPhones

iPhones have a stronger level of built-in protection and are much more secure than Android phones. Let’s take a look at five of the best security features for mobile iOS devices:

1. You can choose from PINs, biometrics, and other locks to physically secure your iPhone.
2. Apple’s App Store experiences far fewer security issues than Google Play, and it’s the only platform you can use for purchasing apps through an iPhone.
3. All iOS apps are sandboxed, meaning you must grant individual permission for each of them to access anything.
4. iPhones perform boot-time scans to confirm the authenticity and stability of your device each time you turn it on. And regular security updates ensure that iOS is equipped to combat the latest cyber threats.
5. There is much less malware targeting iOS users than Android users.

While iOS devices are safer than Android devices, they’re far from perfect. For example, iPhones don’t encrypt your connection, allowing hackers to view and steal data on unsecured WiFi networks with relative ease.

Also, there isn’t a built-in password feature. If your password is easy to guess, your accounts and apps could be vulnerable to a cyber attack. And the built-in iOS security features are not staunch enough to protect your devices from some of the more advanced phishing attacks.

Built-In Security for AXIA Tel Encrypted Smartphones

The AXIA Tel Encrypted Smartphone trumps both iOS and Android in terms of mobile device security. The encrypted device gives you unparalleled mobile privacy. It isolates data access to prevent your data from being read or obtained illegally and lets you store encrypted data with secure double-backups.

Moreover, the independent and hyper-secure AXIA Secure OS prevents all personal data from being accessed and offers trusted software updates through a dedicated server. Beyond that, the AXIA app store revolves around privacy.

Considering its second-to-none security and limitless functionality, the AXIA Tel Encrypted Smartphone is one of the best tech decisions you can make in 2022 and beyond!

How Can You Boost Mobile Device Security?

Now that you know the gist of which built-in features can protect your data, it’s time to explore some ways you can personally increase your mobile device security. Below, we’ve listed a few practical steps you can start taking today.

Understand the Different Threats

Cybersecurity experts constantly identify new types of cyberattacks. Individuals and businesses are vulnerable to a wide range of threats, so it’s important to understand what you’re up against.

Web-based mobile threats occur when websites download malware onto your smartphone without permission. Sometimes, users don’t even realize the malware has been installed until it’s too late. One of the most common ways for hackers to achieve this type of attack is to use phishing to coax mobile users into clicking on harmful links.

Cybercriminals also use app-based threats to target individuals and companies. Many malicious apps on the market are available for download and purchase; they can steal your data and even use your tap-and-pay apps to spend your money.

Your mobile device is likely connected to two or more networks at all times. Besides your cellular connection, you must consider your WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth. Attackers are skilled at exploiting these connections and at WiFi spoofing, where cybercriminals simulate open WiFi access and steal users’ data.

Finally, consider potential physical threats to your mobile device. If your phone is lost or stolen, an expert criminal can steal all the personal and financial information stored on it. Automatic locking, complex passwords, and anti-theft tracking software can help protect your device in such circumstances.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

When accessing a public network, you’re essentially sharing a server with everyone else in your vicinity. A VPN allows you to use a private server for a secure phone connection. And it encrypts all your data as it travels across servers to protect it further.

Knowing the importance of data privacy, protection and security, AXIA has developed a free VPN called AXshield that can be downloaded and used to stay protected on all of your devices once it goes live in Q3 2022.

Encrypt Your Data

If your smartphone doesn’t come with encryption features automatically activated, setting up data encryption should be a top priority, since it scrambles your information to prevent hackers from recognizing it while traveling across servers.

Encryption is a solid first step you can take to reach a much greater level of data privacy and security while using your mobile phone. Just remember that different operating systems offer various levels of encryption. Using a device like the AXIA Tel Encrypted Smartphone that already encrypts data on your behalf makes this process much more straightforward.

Establish Remote Wipe

Remote wipe capabilities allow users to eliminate any data from their device, whether or not they have the physical phone in-hand. This feature can prove valuable when phones are lost or stolen.

Each device has a unique process for establishing a remote wipe, so make sure you understand how to do it on your specific device in case it goes missing.

Turn to AXIA

The last thing you want is to have your data stolen. Boosting your mobile device’s security will ensure you get the most from your smartphone while making it more difficult for attackers to access your sensitive information.

No other mobile device is more secure than the AXIA Tel Encrypted Smartphone — period. The device offers LTE max speed, a 6.53-inch full HD+ screen, and affordable unlimited data, talk, and text. Also, you’ll automatically get access to the AXIA ecosystem of digital resources.

Connect with the AXIA team today to learn about our contract-free plans!

Sources:

Comparative Analysis of Android and iOS From Security Viewpoint | ScienceDirect

Microsoft Plans Antivirus Software for Android and iOS Devices | CNBC

Four Mobile Cybersecurity Threats To Watch in 2022 | Security Magazine