Let’s be real: most of us don’t think about phone security until something goes wrong. And by then? It’s usually a pretty big problem.
Think about it—your phone isn’t just a phone anymore. It’s your bank, your social life, your photo album, and even your work assistant, all wrapped up in one pocket-sized device. That’s amazing, right? Sure! But it also makes your phone a prime target for hackers and cyber threats.
So, what can you do to keep it safe without giving up all the conveniences? The good news is, you don’t have to ditch your smartphone. The answer lies in one simple concept: phone security.
In this guide, we’re going to walk you through practical, easy-to-follow tips to protect your phone and your data from malicious attacks. Whether it’s phishing scams, malware, or unauthorized access, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to stay secure. Let’s dive in and make sure your phone—and your personal info—stays out of the wrong hands.
What is phone security?
Phone security, also known as mobile device security is the practice of defending mobile devices against a wide range of cyber attack vectors that threaten users’ privacy, network login credentials, finances, and safety. It comprises a collection of technologies, controls, policies, and best practices. Phone security protects us from cybersecurity threats of all kinds.
This practice could also be explained as a set of tactics and tools that protect mobile devices against security threats. Although the components of mobile security vary depending on the demands of each firm, mobile security always entails authenticating users and controlling network access.
What are mobile security threats?
A mobile security threat is a means of cyber attack that targets mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Like an attack on a PC or enterprise server, a mobile security threat exploits vulnerabilities in mobile software, hardware, and network connections to enable malicious and unauthorized activities on the device.
One example is when hackers gain access so they can use our mobile processing chips to mine cryptocurrencies or make them part of botnets. A bigger picture would be access and theft of identity and personal accounts, which they can steal and sell for as low as pennies and as high as thousands. In addition, hackers can hijack our mobile wallets and financial information for their benefit.
Understanding phone security threats
Global cybercrime costs are expected to grow by 15% per year over the next five years, reaching $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Additionally, a study from 2019 found that 70% of online fraud is accomplished through mobile platforms.. This makes it more crucial than ever to take the necessary steps to protect your personal device from mobile threats.
Mobile devices may be attacked on several levels. This includes the possibility of malicious applications, network-level assaults, and the exploitation of device and mobile OS vulnerabilities.
Mobile security threats include theft of login credentials for corporate networks. Indeed, mobile phishing attacks, which use texts and emails to trick recipients into clicking on malicious URLs, have been up 85% in the last year.
Cybercriminals have increased their focus on mobile devices as their importance has grown. As a result, cyber threats targeting these devices have broadened.
How to protect your phone from hackers
Your phone is more than just a way to make calls—it’s your lifeline. From banking and photos to social media and personal info, it’s all there, making your phone a juicy target for hackers. The good news? Keeping it safe doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these Top 10 tips to keep your phone—and everything on it—secure.
1. Set Up a Strong Passcode or Biometric Lock
Let’s start with the basics: your lock screen. A strong passcode or using biometrics like fingerprint or facial recognition is your phone’s first defense. Ditch the easy-to-guess codes (looking at you, “1234”) and opt for something harder to crack.
Why it matters: A solid lock screen prevents prying eyes and unwanted access if your phone is lost or stolen.
Pro tip: Set your phone to lock automatically after a short period of inactivity. It’s easy to forget, but this can be a game-changer for security.
2. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even with a great password, your accounts could still be vulnerable. That’s where 2FA comes in—it adds an extra step, like a code sent to your phone, to verify it’s really you logging in.
Why it matters: 2FA stops hackers in their tracks, even if they somehow get your password.
Pro tip: Set up 2FA on all important accounts, like your email, bank, and social media. It’s a quick setup, but it goes a long way in protecting your personal info.
3. Install Phone Tracking Apps Like Prey
Losing your phone is the worst. But with a tracking app like Prey, you can find it, lock it, or even wipe it remotely to keep your info safe from thieves. Plus, Prey lets you track your phone’s last known location, which can be a lifesaver.
Why it matters: If your phone gets lost or stolen, tracking apps can help you protect your data and potentially recover your device.
Pro tip: Make sure remote lock and wipe features are enabled in your phone’s settings, so you’re ready if the worst happens.
4. Keep Your Phone Updated
We get it—those software update notifications always pop up at the most inconvenient times. But they’re important! Updates often include security patches that keep your phone protected from the latest threats.
Why it matters: Hackers love exploiting outdated software. By staying updated, you’re keeping your phone one step ahead of their tricks.
Pro tip: Turn on automatic updates so your phone stays current without you having to think about it.
5. Download Apps from Trusted Sources
It might be tempting to download that new game from a random website, but it’s not worth the risk. Stick to the App Store or Google Play, where apps go through more rigorous vetting for security.
Why it matters: Apps from untrusted sources can carry malware that could put your personal data in danger.
Pro tip: Always check reviews and ratings before downloading an app. If something feels sketchy, trust your gut and skip it.
6. Review App Permissions
Ever wonder why some apps need access to your camera, contacts, or location? Spoiler alert: they probably don’t. Make it a habit to review app permissions and only grant access to what’s truly necessary.
Why it matters: Limiting app permissions helps protect your privacy and keeps your personal data under control.
Pro tip: Go into your settings and take a look at what permissions each app has. If it seems like overkill, turn it off!
7. Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi at your favorite coffee shop? Sweet! But before you jump on, remember that public Wi-Fi is a playground for hackers. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your connection, keeping your browsing safe from prying eyes.
Why it matters: Without a VPN, your data on public Wi-Fi could be intercepted by hackers.
Pro tip: Avoid doing anything sensitive—like online banking—on public Wi-Fi, even with a VPN. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
8. Install Antivirus Software
Just like your laptop or desktop, your phone can get infected with viruses too. Installing antivirus software adds an extra layer of protection by scanning for malware and other threats.
Why it matters: Antivirus apps can catch and remove malware before it has a chance to do any damage.
Pro tip: Look for antivirus apps that offer real-time scanning and protection so you’re always covered.
9. Enable Remote Lock and Wipe
If your phone is lost or stolen, you don’t want whoever finds it to have access to your personal info. Remote lock and wipe features allow you to lock your phone or erase all your data from afar, keeping your private stuff safe.
Why it matters: These features give you control, even when your phone is out of your hands.
Pro tip: Make sure these settings are enabled and tied to your Google or Apple account for easy access if you need them.
10. Turn Off Bluetooth and NFC When Not in Use
When you’re not using them, it’s best to keep Bluetooth and NFC turned off. Leaving these features on can open the door for hackers to access your phone without you even knowing.
Why it matters: Bluetooth and NFC can be vulnerable entry points if left on, especially in crowded public places.
Pro tip: Get into the habit of turning these off when you’re not using them. It’s a small step that can have a big impact on your phone’s security.
Phone security threats to watch out for
There are many different types of mobile security threats. Although new attacks regularly come to the attention of cybersecurity experts; these are the most common ones:
Web-based mobile threats
Mobile websites can download malware onto our mobile devices without our permission or awareness. Phishing is a typical way attackers get us to click on links to sites containing mobile threats. For example, a hacker might set up a website that looks legitimate (e.g. like our banking site) to capture our login credentials. What can we do about web-based mobile threats? Security software on our phones can help detect malicious websites and phishing attempts. It also pays to be extra careful and attentive. For example, the IRS will never send an email requesting our tax data. (They only use the US Postal Service.) An email pointing to an IRS website is almost guaranteed to be a scam.
App-based threats
Hackers create malicious apps that we download or even buy. Once installed, these apps can steal our data from our devices or spend our money with our tap and pay apps. So it’s a good practice to check charges and purchases carefully. Keeping mobile software up to date also helps defend against malicious apps, as device makers periodically update their software to patch vulnerabilities that these apps exploit. The goal is to protect the information stored or accessible through the device (including personally identifiable info-PII, social accounts, documents, credentials, etc.).
These malicious actors sometimes hide inside well-known and valuable free apps that exploit vulnerabilities or take advantage of specific permissions to download the malicious aspect into the phone. So it’s essential that when an app asks for these permissions, its use is justified.
Network threats
Mobile devices are usually connected to at least two networks. and sometimes more. These include cellular connection, Wi-FI, Bluetooth, and GPS. Each of these points of connection can be exploited by hackers to take over a device, trick the user or penetrate a corporate network. WiFi spoofing, for example, is a threat in which an attacker simulates access to an open WiFi network and tricks users into connecting to sniff sensible data that the network is processing.
The suggested best practices are to switch off antennas that are not in use and make sure security settings are configured to prevent unauthorized WiFi access.
Physical threats
Mobiles are small and easy to steal. Unfortunately, they also get lost pretty often. Without adequate device security, a stolen mobile device is a treasure trove of personal and financial information for a crook. Using strong passwords and setting up the device to lock itself when not in use will help mitigate physical threats to mobile devices. Anti-theft tracking software also helps recover a phone that’s gone missing.
How can companies implement mobile security?
Organizations that provide mobile devices to their employees or let them use their personal devices for work must first establish strong security measures and implement mobile security best practices. The risks are simply too high for IT departments and CISOs to treat mobile security as a secondary priority. Based on our experience working with enterprises in mobile security, we recommend taking the following steps:
Establish a clear mobile usage policy
Mobile security policies will ideally cover acceptable use, anti-theft measures, mandatory security settings, etc. In addition, the policy framework in organizations must include compliance monitoring and the remediation of deficiencies.
Segment data and apps on enterprise devices
It is an excellent practice to categorize mobile users into role-based groups with varying levels of access privilege. This practice reduces the exposed attack surface area if one device gets compromised. Segmenting applications will also prevent users from installing unwanted software that might infiltrate your network.
Many companies create their own BYOD (bring your own device) programs that keep company devices safe. To learn more, check out our article outlining best practices for BYODs.
Encrypt and minimize visibility into devices that have access to the company network
If a device gets compromised or stolen, it’s best if the malicious user cannot easily access data on the device. Nor should taking over a mobile device becomes a free pass to the enterprise network and its data. Achieving this objective involves using an identity and access management (IAM) system and data protection solutions.
Install security software on mobile devices
This is a basic, but essential countermeasure. SecOps teams should treat mobile devices like any other piece of hardware on the corporate network. Tools like mobile threat detection and device and data protection tools can aid security teams in keeping those devices secure.
Monitor user behavior
Mobile users often don’t know their devices are compromised or how sometimes they put themselves at risk. However, monitoring user behavior can reveal anomalies that could point to an underway attack. In addition, automated monitoring will also prove crucial when making sure attackers are not intruding on your organization’s mobile security policies.
Build mobile security awareness through training
People are accustomed to consumer-type freedoms on mobile devices. It’s a wise policy to build awareness of corporate security risks inherent in mobile technology. Security training programs ought to include the topic of keeping mobile devices secure, what activities belong in their enterprise devices (and which ones don’t), and what day-to-day practices they can implement to avoid falling victim to common threats. Educating your employees can save your company lots of money and reduce mobile security threats dramatically.
Mobile security for Android users
- Only buy smartphones from vendors who issue patches for Android
- Do not save all passwords
- Use two-factor authentication
- Take advantage of built-in Android security features
- Make sure your WiFi network is secure (and be careful with public WiFi)
- Use the Android security app
- Back up your Android phone’s data
- Buy apps only from Google Play
- Encrypt your device
- Use a VPN
Mobile security for iPhone users
- Keep your iPhone operating system (iOS) up to date
- Activate the “find my iPhone” feature
- Set up a passcode longer than the 4-number preset
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Set the phone to “self-destruct” i.e. wipe itself after 10 failed password attempts
- Regularly change your iCloud and iTunes passwords
- Avoid public Wi-Fi and only use secure Wi-Fi
- Use only trusted iPhone charging stations
- Disable Siri on the iPhone lock screen
- Revoke app permissions to use the camera, microphone, etc.
Takeaways
As hackers continue to target mobile devices, it’s time to take phone security and mobile security threats more seriously. Mobile devices are just as vulnerable, if not more vulnerable, than PCs and other types of computer hardware. They are exposed to threats in the form of malware, social engineering, web attacks, network attacks, and physical theft.
Whether you are in charge of an organization’s security, or you are looking to protect your own gadgets, be someone with a plan. Start with awareness training and robust security policies, and then move towards taking more technical countermeasures to mitigate the risk.
