To protect yourself from
identity theft and fraud, follow these simple measures and keep malware at bay.
While evolving technology has brought us more convenience, it has also increased our vulnerability. Take smartphones. Their widespread usage and ability to carry out various transactions is putting us at risk of identity theft and making us susceptible to fraud. Unlike the password-protected Internet or Wi-Fi connections at home or work, the mobile phones are constantly searching for networks to cling to and conserve the data limit, and not all these connections are secure.
The connectivity and penetration of mobile phones has soared past that of the Internet in the country. According to ballpark figures by Frost & Sullivan, a research and analysis consultancy, nearly 45 million people in India were using smartphones till December 2011. The numbers are expected to reach 300 million by 2017. However, many users are ignorant of the security threats that their smartphones face. “They are usually not concerned about the security issues related to their phones and are unwilling to pay for relevant applications. The situation is expected to become worse in the future when smartphone proliferation is targeted towards semi-urban and rural users,” says Abhishek Chauhan, senior consultant, ICT practice, Frost & Sullivan.
One of the reasons smartphone users are more vulnerable is the profusion of apps that they download on their phones, most of which store personal data, such as user names, passwords, credit card numbers, email IDs, pin numbers and location data, in the phone’s internal memory. Not all the data is encrypted since the storage is offline. Another problem is that most people keep information about their bank accounts and plastic cards on their phones so that these can be easily accessed when required.
“Until December 2011, 33 million people had carried out e-banking, shopping and other transactions on Wi-Fi, cloud networks or via SMS on handsets that did not have an Internet connection. By 2017, this figure is estimated to reach 230 million,” says Chauhan. Finance apps like PayPal scored well on security, while the ones that scored poorly were social networking apps, like LinkedIn or AIM, where most users share crucial information, like phone numbers, addresses and dates of birth.
To avoid falling prey to fraud on your phone, you need to take precautions, some of which we are listing here.
Switch off bluetooth: Start your Bluetooth only when you have to use it.
Change the default setting from ‘always on’ to off. If you don’t, the device looks for other Bluetooth-enabled phones to connect to, which gives hackers, malware and viruses easy access to your personal data. These could wreck your smartphone’s operating system, making your device unusable. Always pair or configure your smartphone with a trusted device.
Change passwords frequently: Protect your smartphone with at least two layers of passwords. This will enhance security and make it tough for a hacker to crack it. Set a password lock for your mobile phone as well as SIM. In the case of the latter, the phone will ask for the password if it is stolen and a new SIM card is being inserted. After a few trials, the phone will lock itself and become temporarily unusable. A pass code to lock your screen will ensure that no one steals information from your phone in your absence. Never use simple numbers like 3333 or 1234 or your date of birth as codes. You must never share your password with anyone and, more importantly, change it periodically. Use different passwords for all your accounts. Do not use the same user name and password to log in to an app, your e-mail and your Net banking account.
Use only secure connections: Be wary of free Wi-Fi hotspots. These may be convenient, but they can also be a breeding ground for spyware, malware and viruses, which can access and steal information from your phone. If it’s essential to use such a connection, avoid shopping, bank-related work or transacting through your credit or debit card. Besides, you should always check the source before you download any file on your phone.
You should also install and enable remote services on your smartphone. Opt for credible anti-virus software, preferably one provided by the manufacturer, like Black-Berry Protect for BlackBerry handsets. Keep the security software, operating system and apps updated and run periodic checks to upgrade them. This will safeguard them from new variants of spyware and viruses.
Build
a back-up: All smartphones offer data back-up services since everyone uses
his or her phone as a storage device. You should back up your data at least
once a fortnight, depending on the amount that is being accumulated. You can do
so by connecting your smartphone to your computer either through a software
that offers this option or by copying your documents, pictures, music and other
files to your PC. So, if your phone gets stolen or lost, you will at least have
all the crucial information at your fingertips.
Know when to pay: You may be tempted to save money and download a free antivirus app on your smartphone. Most manufacturers offer free versions too and you may consider this enough security. But before clicking on one, check if the URL of the website is linked to the official enterprise’s site. It may be better to spend a bit and go for the paid version. This is because such versions provide more facilities than the basic data protection and virus detection/removal. All major smartphone operating systems—BlackBerry, iOS, Android and Windows Mobile—offer advanced security features, such as remote lock, remote data wipe and GPS location (to locate your phone if it has been stolen). Investing in a paid mobile security package to detect malware and intrusions will not only ensure that your information is secure but will also save you from grief if you lose your phone.
Free security apps to your rescue
These free applications are good for securing your smartphone and protecting it from data theft and malware/spyware. Some of these also come with extra features like remote access lock, phone locator, data wipe-out, privacy report and SMS/call filtering.
Android: Avast! Mobile Security
Apple iOS: Find My iPhone app (this needs an iCloud account)
BlackBerry: BlackBerry Protect and Lookout Mobile Security
Symbian: Kaspersky Mobile Security, Best Safe and F-Secure
Know when to pay: You may be tempted to save money and download a free antivirus app on your smartphone. Most manufacturers offer free versions too and you may consider this enough security. But before clicking on one, check if the URL of the website is linked to the official enterprise’s site. It may be better to spend a bit and go for the paid version. This is because such versions provide more facilities than the basic data protection and virus detection/removal. All major smartphone operating systems—BlackBerry, iOS, Android and Windows Mobile—offer advanced security features, such as remote lock, remote data wipe and GPS location (to locate your phone if it has been stolen). Investing in a paid mobile security package to detect malware and intrusions will not only ensure that your information is secure but will also save you from grief if you lose your phone.
Free security apps to your rescue
These free applications are good for securing your smartphone and protecting it from data theft and malware/spyware. Some of these also come with extra features like remote access lock, phone locator, data wipe-out, privacy report and SMS/call filtering.
Android: Avast! Mobile Security
Apple iOS: Find My iPhone app (this needs an iCloud account)
BlackBerry: BlackBerry Protect and Lookout Mobile Security
Symbian: Kaspersky Mobile Security, Best Safe and F-Secure
MILAN SHARMA ET120430
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