New 2013 Updated Safety Measures for your Cell Phone and Tablet

With the recent news about government collection of personal data from the National Security Agency and the disclosures from Edward Snowden, everyone is more aware of public privacy. Now there is another disclosure by a group of hackers  working for the security firm, iSEC. They found a way to hack into a signal-booster made by Samsung for the phone company, Verizon. The were able to turn it into a spy tool that would pick up “all calls, text messages and data sent by mobile devices within range from a small backpack. ‘This is not about how the NSA would attack ordinary people. This is how ordinary people would attack ordinary people,’ said Tom Ritter, a senior consultant, iSEC.” ( http://thehackernews.com/2013/07/hackers-turn-verizon-signal-booster.html )

Perhaps it is time to re-visit and update security for your cell phone or tablet. Here’s some suggestions that will save you grief later on if you follow them.

New 2013 Updated Safety Measures for your Cell Phone and Tablet

1. Install antivirus software on your phone or tablet. Only install software from Apple App Store, Google Play Store or Windows App Store.

2. Load a password and lock your phone, tablet or any other mobile device when not in use.

3. Keep your mobile device up to date (install updates).

4. If you use you mobile device for banking, register it with the banks you are using. Most banks have a multi-factor authentication program – your account number, password and some security token or key. Some banks will also include fingerprint or a typing pattern.

5. Be cautious about using public WiFi for any transmission that should be secure or private.

6. Don’t use foreign computers to access your bank accounts, even to check your balance. You are better off to use the ATM balance check than a computer in a far away place. Not everyone has international or even roaming capabilities on mobile devices, but be cautious about making money transactions if your device has this capacity.

7. If you lose your mobile device, call your provider immediately with your IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity) number which you can find under the battery or by dialing #06# . Write this number down and put it in a safe place. This will allow the company to disable your device and it will be useless to the finder/thief.

8. Call your bank immediately and report the lost or stolen phone so that the finder/thief cannot access your bank accounts. People are used to contacting bank for stolen credit cards, but a mobile device can provide access to banks as well.