The National Security Agency, NSA, sent out a document on the best ways to keep your cell phone secure. Well, a number of these issues are well known, but lets go over them again to make sure everyone has the current information.
- Power your phone off weekly (daily I say) and let it sit for a few minutes and then start it up. This allows the system to look for updates.
- Check your phone DAILY (yeah, that’s me) for updates to the applications on your phone, and the OS for the phone.
- Turn off Bluetooth when you are not using it, and note that airplane mode does not always turn off Bluetooth.
- Use a password or PIN code to lock your phone, do no use a fingerprint or your face to unlock it. (Note California is now saying that if you use a fingerprint or face to unlock your phone the police can make you unlock it, with a PIN or password they can not)
- Applications, only install the minimum you need, if you “need” social network apps, consider installing them under another profile on your phone to prevent data “leakage”.
- Put a camera cover-slider on the front facing camera on your phone to prevent unauthorized people from watching you.
- WiFi, do not connect to public WiFi, also turn off WiFi when you are not using it, and delete any old WiFi’s you have saved to your phone. (Your phone will broadcast all the WiFi’s you have saved “calling” out to them all the time)
- Do not click on ANY links in text messages, even if you know the person, these can be faked and can install software on your phone or give away your location by clicking on it. If it is from a friend CALL THEM and ask them did they send it.
- Emails with links or attachments NOPE, same rule applies, CALL THEM and ask if they sent it.
- Pop-ups? NOPE, if you get them on your phone close all the apps open on your phone or POWER OFF the phone.
- NEVER plug your phone into an unknown charger. Only use your own cables and power bricks, if you don’t have one with you, go buy one.
- Turn off Location Services, if you don’t need it, and when you are going someplace sensitive, turn location services off completely.
Follow these basic steps from the NSA, and few of my own, and you will have a much more secure cell phone and a safer experience.
