People nowadays make use of their smartphones and tablets as a daily lifestyle, not to show off or something, but these gadgets have become necessities of life. Tablets and smartphones, for instance, are used for texts, emails, and contact details; call logs, social media apps, browsing history, personal photos, save pin numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, and more. Now, don’t be confident that this information in your tablet is secured always as someone might just pick it up, snoop, go over it, or worse, steal your device and everything in it.
Threat of Data-stealing
Aside from people stealing the main device, expert hackers might cook up some automated threats and data-stealing apps. Hackers are not the only threats around as cellular providers, advertisers, and even the government might track your movements physically and online. Certainly, there are several risks to your gadget and the sensitive information it contains, needing you to take quick steps to lock down your tablet, while keeping away from snoopers and hackers.
- Maximize Free Security Apps
Malicious apps are all over, and there is something you can do to reduce or eliminate such risks. If hackers are unable to slip a data-stealing app onto your tablet, then they might do another trick of stealing information through a phishing email. Security apps will keep a close eye on such things such as Webroot, a free Android app that is able to scan other applications for malicious codes, warning you of any danger. Security apps would also protect you from phishing scams that are very tricky until you download something you should never have.
- Rely and Install Trusted Apps
Obviously, bad apps are full of malware that tends to infect gadgets with viruses or steal information. Hence, you must only rely and install applications from major stores like Amazon Appstore, Google Play, Windows Store, and so on. Mostly, third-part stores host malicious apps, disguising as popular and real ones. This is not an issue between Microsoft and Apple users as they are locked into their exclusive app stores. Android gadgets, however, allow users to visit other stores, besides Google Play.
- Set Your Password or PIN Code
Many smartphone and Android users only use the “Swipe to unlock” default in their screens, provoking more thieves and snoopers. Setting your own password of pin code is very easy and will reduce the risks of your gadget being hacked or stolen. Come up with a combination or passcode that you’ll never forget, and changing this once in a while is also a good idea!
- Keep Safe from Public Connectivity
Public hotspots are very ideal in reducing your data plan consumption, surfing the web very conveniently. However, there is also a downfall to this as free public connectivity could pose dangers as well. Remember, hackers will always be hackers, and they will try to infiltrate these networks so as to steal valuable information. As much as possible, do your online shopping and banking transactions at home, never through public Wi-Fi networks.
