5 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR SMARTPHONE FROM MALWARE

In the U.S. mobile malware rates jumped 75 percent in 2014 from 2013, according to a report published Thursday by the mobile security firm Lookout. (The report, which was based on the firm's 60 million users, reflects the number of devices that were attacked, but not infected because they had installed anti-virus software protection.)

Now that we’ve identified the causes and challenges associated with mobile malware, how do you prevent it? By taking back control of your mobile devices and their applications.

Here are 5 ways for securing your mobile users and preventing mobile malware infections. 

1. Protect Your Phone with a Password

It's a simple thing to do, yet so many don't. Using a password is the easiest thing you can do to protect your phone from spying eyes. Having a strong password with several characters and even capitalized letters should be a number one priority. Having a simple password makes it easy for hackers to quickly access and steal your information. In addition, smartphone users are making it simple for thieves by staying signed in to their online bank accounts, social networks and other applications that store personal data. When you are finished accessing your personal accounts online, make sure to log out. This is particularly important if you are using online banking. 

2. Research apps before you download them

You should only permit the installation of apps from trusted sources, such as Google Play and Apple App Store. Also, the developers' names, "Kingmall2010" and "we20090202" among them, are dead giveaways. Clearly these guys aren't on the up and up. So be careful before you download; if it's not a company you recognize, do some research before letting that app live on your phone. Check out the ratings and reviews, and look at the app's permissions very closely— For example, there's no reason for a wallpaper app to have access to your personal data. 

3. Don't View Sensitive Information on Public Wi-Fi

We have all experienced the joys and the benefits of free, public Wi-Fi, but unfortunately there are several drawbacks that come along with this convenient aid. On a public Wi-Fi connection, it is easy for someone to hack into your data. Many public Wi-Fi areas are not encrypted and are prime targets for hackers to access information on your computer or smartphone. If you are accessing any type of personal information such as your bank account, social network pages or even email accounts, be cautious. If possible, avoid any type of webpage or application that can identify you. 

4. Don’t jailbreak/root your phone

To “jailbreak” or to “root” means to gain full access to the operating system and features. This also means breaking the security model and allowing all apps, including malicious ones, to access the data owned by other applications. You should consider the needs and abilities before deciding to do this. 

5. Install a Mobile Security App

If you're already doing numbers 1-4 on this list, you probably don't really need to take this extra step. After all, mobile OSes are inherently more secure than their PC analogues, and apps are more isolated from each other. However, installing a security app (from a trusted source, of course) can't hurt, the apps are often free, and there can be extra benefits as well. For example, remote locking and wiping if your smartphone lost or stolen, automatically saves the last location of your device before it runs out of battery, get an email with a photo and location when your device is in wrong hands, protect yourself from risky app and prying eyes, and Wi-fi and web safety,...

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