We are now living in the age of the Smartphone, and as Google has recently proved, there are millions of people getting new phones every single week (over 500,000 Android devices are activated every day!). As the number of users increases, so will the security risks that Smartphones bring to us.
Even though Android and the iPhone are pretty secure, they definitely can be broken and used to spy on people, steal data from the device and for other malicious purposes. The recent Carrier IQ scandal has shown that you don’t even need to know about an app on your phone or approve it for it to be running and transmitting every keystroke to a remote server.
With that in mind, below you may find LI members’ advices that help you keep your Smartphone safe and secure:
«Trusting any individual app for security is questionable. If you have a knowledgeable programmer pal (in mobile, network security) and the source code is available then you can tell with certainty that your Smartphone is secure with an app. You can use that in tandem with a trusted Smartphone antivirus, anti malware, anti root kit software. At least you need to use this if you don’t have source unencrypted code at disposal. If you download from market you may not have source code. Most market operators check for security violations. Despite that
some apps send identifiable customer data for marketing purpose.»
Vinodh Sen Ethirajulu
Technical Lead,ING Institutional Plan Services
«I use the mobile security product from the company that makes the phone and I also have my phone locked using a pattern.»
Tim Tymchyshyn
Senior Sales Representative
«I and all my techy friends, have standard phone securities such as passwords and pins, we have a home record of IMEI numbers and sim references.
As for Apps we all use Preyproject. They have a free version which can secure 3 devices, it can allow SMS or Online activation, which sends reports to your email every 10 minutes with GPS location and WIFI tracking, it can also secure you laptop, if it has a camera, will also email you a picture of the next person using it!! Genius!»
Daniel Rose
Systems Administrator at MWL Systems
«I do not own a Smartphone because there is no such thing as security with that particular device.»
Kenneth Larson
MicroMentor Volunteer and Founder “Smalltofeds”
«I always prefer to use security product or protection system provided by the mobile company itself as its always doubtful to trust the various security based mobile applications.»
Shivam Agarwal
Business Analyst at Algoworks
The security risks that a Smartphone brings with it will only grow in number in the following years, and if you have any sensitive data on your phone (especially if you’re using Google Wallet or some sort of credit card number storage app) or don’t want to fall victim to any scam, you should start getting acquainted with the various security apps and tools available for your handset right now.
Are these comments from my LinkedIn Answers?
2 Daniel. Yes, and your quote is signed by your name.
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