Cell phone use is heavier than ever. This is mainly due to cell phone providers making better phones for the ever-growing digital life. The downside to this is that cell phones are largely unprotected when it comes to malware. Let’s look at ways you can keep your phone bug free.
1. Don’t look at FDSFD2324 crazy picture they just sent you
SMS is a growing transmission device for viruses and malware. This is where your common sense, and good cell phone use, become key in keeping your phone bug free.
Grandma might send you a funny video or picture that you want to see. This is well and fine to open. StrangeUSER1241 may send you a hilarious photo. You don’t know this person. DON’T open the photo. This is sure to be a bug that will only allow the hacker access to your phone.
2. Browse the web with a bit of caution
Security holes in cell phone web browsers are a constant battle. Did you know there was a site that would hack iPhones all through the use of the Internet browser? Just as the Internet is a dangerous place for your computer, it is becoming a dangerous place for cell phones.
This does not mean you need to stay off the Internet. Surfing on your cell phone just needs to be handled with a bit of caution. Stay off sites you don’t know or trust. Don’t follow links that friends send you until you are home on a properly protected computer. Safe web habits equal a malware free phone.
3. Risky software is never a good idea
Some phones have the ability to install third party applications that do not carry the approval of their corresponding app stores. This might seem like a great idea and you love the idea of the openness of your phone. The issue comes with the software you are installing.
You might have finally found that onscreen keyboard that will end your frustration of typing on the screen. This keyboard may even have a reputable developer. Why are you pulling that keyboard off a pirate site then? Watching the software you install to your cell phone is every bit your responsibility.
4. Don’t hack your phone
Installing a custom ROM, or jailbreaking, your phone might seem like the cool thing to do. The issue is that these practices can break security systems set in place to keep your phone free from viruses and malware. Johnny down the street might have done this with no issue, but you want your cell phone as safe as it can possibly be.
The other issue with this practice is the constant need to keep hacking your phone. Cell phone makers are constantly fighting the tactics of pirates. This cat and mouse game leads to a constant need to keep rehacking your phone. This means you open your phone up to new ways for malicious software to find its way to you beloved phone.
Malware is no longer restricted to that home computer. Security on your cell phone is your job. Safe phone techniques will help you keep your phone from becoming the poster child of malware infections.
