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There are lots of people who use their cell phones and mobile devices to browse the internet on a regular basis. There is a common misconception that cell phones are not able to be infected with viruses; however, this is simply not true. Because more people are using their phones to browse the internet, hackers and criminals have gotten better at designing viruses for phones. Therefore, it is critical for everyone to make sure they take steps to protect their privacy, protect their data, and improve their mobile experience. There are a few key tips that everyone should keep in mind.
Turn Off Location Sharing on the Phone
The vast majority of cell phones have a GPS that helps people navigate from place to place. While this is incredibly helpful when driving in an unfamiliar area or when trying to get around traffic jams, these are lots of applications that collect people’s data and share their location information. The good news is that there is a way for people to turn off location sharing under settings. That way, people can control which apps have access to their location and which ones do not. It is also important for people to think carefully when they are downloading apps, as some apps use this location data for malicious purposes.
Turn Off Bluetooth When Not in Use
Bluetooth is a very helpful feature on phones because it allows them to communicate with other devices that might be in the area, such as a car or a printer. On the other hand, this connection can also go both ways. Therefore, someone could hijack the Bluetooth connection and use it to intercept calls and data. Therefore, it is important for everyone to turn off Bluetooth when it is not in use. Bluetooth should only be turned on specifically when someone needs to connect to another device, such as the hands-free option in a motor vehicle. Many phones have Bluetooth that always runs in the background. This is a serious safety and privacy issue. It can also be helpful to set a passcode specifically for the Bluetooth connection. Take advantage of this if it is available.
Use a Mobile VPN
There are countless people who use their phones to browse the internet. This might include handling personal financial information, shopping online, or even looking up certain pieces of helpful data. Often, when people go from place to place, they are automatically connecting to public WiFi and might not even know it. These are dangerous networks because they have limited safety and privacy options. Therefore, it is helpful to use a mobile VPN.
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN protects someone’s personal information by encrypting their data and scrambling their IP address. This makes it nearly impossible for someone to have their data stolen. Furthermore, a mobile VPN can also be used to help someone change their digital location. This can be helpful for getting around geographic restrictions and getting lower prices on plane flights and hotel rooms.
Check All Privacy and Security Settings on a Regular Basis
The vast majority of smartphones place the user in control of their privacy and safety. These controls are usually listed in the settings area. Some of the safety features that people might want to check include:
- Make sure that there is a difficult password set on the phone. Try to change the password on a regular basis.
- Inspect the GPS setting and make sure that it is turned off when not in use
- Inspect the apps that have access to contacts, notes, and pictures
- Try to block cookies if they are enabled
- Limit the data that the mobile device connects to only what is absolutely necessary
These are a few of the settings that people need to pay attention to on their phones. This is critical for making sure that people protect their privacy and security.
Check the Autofill and Automatic Login Features
One of the nice parts of having a smartphone is that it stays logged in to social media accounts and email accounts all the time. On the other hand, there might be some accounts that people do not want to stay logged into. It is important for people to review these accounts on a regular basis, such as bank accounts, and make sure they do not stay logged in if there is sensitive information available.
Improve Your Mobile Experience with These Helpful Tips
These are just a few of the most important tips that everyone should keep in mind if they are looking for a way to make their mobile experience better. As more people use their cell phones to browse the internet, it is critical for everyone to make sure they stay safe. That is where these tips can be helpful. The more attention people pay to their mobile browsing experience, the safer and more secure their data, and their devices, are going to be.