How safe is your smartphone? According to identity theft prevention experts, the amount of personal data contained on most smartphones is staggering. The following tips will help protect you from an identity theft and hacking nightmare:
· Use a password. Think of your smartphone as an electronic wallet. If you could lock that wallet, why wouldn't you?
· Use apps to shop. Many companies now have dedicated apps designed to ward off phishing and scams, so avoid shopping from the web browser if possible.
· Always log out. Also avoid saving user IDs or passwords on the phone.
· Close Wi-Fi auto connect and Bluetooth public. Hackers can break into your phone over fake networks and exploit Bluetooth connections.
· Do a "factory reset". If you get a new phone make sure to reset your old one to original factory settings after you've migrated your data.
· Avoid suspicious "free" apps. Some free apps are little more than thinly veiled phishing scams. Make sure the app you download has plenty of good reviews.
· Remove sensitive data. Don't store notes, emails or text messages containing passwords, pins, Social Security numbers, credit card or bank account information.
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