6 Personal Tips for Securing Your Smartphone Data
In the digital age, securing smartphone data is paramount, so we’ve gathered six expert tips from top industry professionals including CEOs and cybersecurity experts. From the importance of considering custom OS and encrypted apps to regularly updating your phone software, discover how to protect your personal data privacy with these insights.
- Consider Custom OS and Encrypted Apps
- Combine Passwords with Two-Factor Authentication
- Enable Full-Disk Encryption
- Create Strong, Unique Passkeys
- Update Software and Use Strong Passwords
- Regularly Update Phone Software
Consider Custom OS and Encrypted Apps
Logging in to Google or Apple gives Google or Apple access to your information and your phone’s data. If you are on the extreme end you would use a custom OS like Graphene or Calyx. For others, use encrypted communication apps like Signal, Proton, etc. If you have sensitive or NSFW photos you can move them to an encrypted app like Photok.
Things you delete on your phone are still there, you would have to wipe your phone to have them truly gone. Use password manager app on your phone and an encrypted notes app for passwords and notes. Saving notes and/or passwords in plain text is no good.
We recommend Bitwarden for passwords and StandardNotes for notes. Setting passwords on apps or automatic locking after a time limit (for example, your password manager remaining unlocked for only 15 minutes after you login) would help protect your information if someone else had your phone.
James Wilson
Personal Cybersecurity Expert, My Data Removal
Combine Passwords with Two-Factor Authentication
One effective tip for securing your smartphone data is to use strong, unique passwords for device access and apps, combined with two-factor authentication wherever possible.
This dual approach not only protects your device from unauthorized access but also ensures that even if a password is compromised, the additional authentication step significantly reduces the risk of a data breach.
Implementing these measures can drastically improve the security of your personal information on your smartphone.
Shehar Yar
CEO, Software House
Enable Full-Disk Encryption
When it comes to securing your smartphone data and protecting personal privacy, one crucial tip is to enable full-disk encryption. Full-disk encryption scrambles all the data on your device, rendering it unreadable without the proper encryption key or passcode.
This safeguards your sensitive information, such as contacts, messages, and photos, in case your phone is lost or stolen. By taking this simple step, you can significantly enhance the security of your mobile device.
Hodahel Moinzadeh
Founder & Senior Systems Administrator, SecureCPU Managed IT Services
Create Strong, Unique Passkeys
One tip I cannot emphasize enough is to use strong, unique passwords for your devices and apps, especially those containing sensitive information. I use a phrase mixed with numbers and symbols that relate to an event or idea significant only to me, making it hard for others to guess but easy for me to remember. For instance, “BikeRide@Sunset1987!” combines elements that are unique to my experiences. I also use a 12-digit device passcode rather than the default 6-digit, making it more difficult to be remembered even when a potential attacker saw me typing.
But what’s even better than a strong password is passkeys, which are even more secure than traditional passwords. Passkeys are more resistant to phishing and hacks, and they simplify the login process as there’s no need to remember complex passwords. You authenticate with something you have, like a smartphone, or something you are, like your fingerprint, your face, or your iris (if you have a $3,000 headset).
Matthew Lam
Full-Stack Developer, Penfriend
Update Software and Use Strong Passwords
One essential tip for securing smartphone data is to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all sensitive accounts. This adds an extra layer of security beyond just passwords, making it harder for unauthorized users to access your information.
Regularly updating your phone’s software and using strong, unique passwords for each account further enhance your data protection. These practices ensure that personal data remains private and secure.
Jacob Maslow
Marketing Expert, Injured.ca
Regularly Update Phone Software
Regularly updating your phone’s software to protect against vulnerabilities and using encrypted messaging apps for sensitive communications are also crucial.
These steps ensure personal data remains private and secure, safeguarding against unauthorized access.
Dan Ponomarenko
CEO, Webvizio
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