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As much care as we take with the things around us, one of our possessions is often bandied about and hardly protected at all; our smartphones. Smartphones are a handheld computer and they should be protected as much as we protect our personal computers. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to protect your smartphone from fraud.
Anti-virus Software – If you can access the Internet or your email via your smartphone, then you need to ensure that it is virus protected. Download a quality and reputable virus protection package and make sure you update it regularly.
Safe Downloading – Taking the same downloading precautions with your smartphone as you do with your PC is important. Never open attachments from unknown sources and only download apps from reputable sources. It doesn’t hurt to run a quick search on the app to make sure there are no negative comments. If an app wants to access personal information or asks you to do something you’re not familiar with or comfortable with, then don’t!
Sharing Information – Text messages can be easily intercepted. Unless you’ve got all sorts of high tech security around your transmissions, like the Kazakhstan President does, then don’t share personal information, like passwords, via email or text messages.
Stay Alert! – You won’t know that you’ve been a victim of fraud unless you look for it. Check your bank accounts and credit card statements for unusual activity. Also, check your credit report frequently for any suspicious activity.
Preventing fraud isn’t difficult if you just take a few simple precautions. Hopefully these tips will help you protect your smartphone from fraudulent activity.
