As the mobile phone market evolves and smartphones become more PC like in terms of their power and functionality, the risks also increases such as viruses, privacy issues, loss of data and more. Although our mobile phone insurance will cover you against theft, cracked screens, water damage and other forms of accidental damage, we recommend taking a few extra steps to keep your phone safe and secure from software, privacy and virus related issues. Below are 7 simple steps to help you achieve this.

Make Your Mobile Phone Safer & Secure With 5 Simple Steps

Don't use a common or easy to guess PIN code

Your PIN, passcode or unlock code is the initial roadblock to the unauthorised access. One of the first tasks you’re asked to carry out when you take out your new smartphone from its packaging is to set up a new passcode or PIN. Your initial task once you get a fresh new device is to switch the default PIN on. Equally to passwords, there are easy PINs and PINs that are arduous to guess. Easy PIN codes are usually those that are not necessarily easy to remember but those that are easy to enter in using your thumb. This for instance could be the same number multiple times, or a number that starts from one end of the keyword and goes in a straight line either horizontally or vertically and then forms an ‘L’ shape. For example 7,4,1,2 is a PIN number that is easy to enter. We recommend using a PIN that is easy to remember but not so easy to guess or enter.

Android users have a range of options on adding security to their screen lock, which include pattern, face unlock, PIN and password choices. Like many smartphone users, if you do prefer to have a fast and simple way to unlock the phone but at the same time want to make the PIN difficult to guess, we recommend using the pattern option – you simply place your thumb on the screen and drag it around to form a pattern (of your choice) to unlock the phone. Be sure to use a ‘difficult to guess’ pattern.

Avoid Using Unsecured Hotspots

Open Wi-Fi hotspots are commonly used by mobile users as they help save on your mobile network’s monthly data allowance, however they carry a higher risk than secured Wi-Fi hotspots. You not solely risk illegal access to your data, but you'll be more prone to all types of viruses and alternative malware. Once you use unsecured hotspots that carry your data in simple text over the net, hackers can capture data, such passwords or other data that you may store on your phone such as credit card PINs and passwords.

Always Update Your Software and Apps

In many cases, the operating systems and apps creators will release updates because they have added in a new feature or two, however is some cases these updates may include a ‘fix’ for a bug or vulnerability that they may have identified and we therefore recommend that you always have the latest version of the operating system and apps running on your phone.

Install Antivirus and other Security Apps

Operating systems such as Android and Windows Mobile are vulnerable to viruses. On the official apps market place you’re bound to find Antivirus and other security related apps built by reputable antivirus brands such AVG, Norton, McAfee, BitDefender, Kaspersky and more. Some of these apps not only protect your smartphone from the web, but also scan other third party apps to ensure these apps do not contain any malware, spyware or other forms of viruses.

Backup your data

Keeping your mobile free from viruses doesn't necessarily mean that your data is safe. A lost or stolen phone also means you’ve lost your data that was stored on the device and a backup would help make the recovery of the possible. If your phone was damaged due to an accidental damage or a mechanical fault, the data will too be lost as you will not be able to sync it if it’s not usable do to the damage. Even if your phone was sent off for a repair, there is not guarantee that the manufacturer will not wipe the data during the repair process. You can also use online cloud storage services such as iCloud, Google Drive and Dropbox.