Prevent Identity Theft – Smartphones Pose Higher Risks Than Computers
by Combine the higher loss factor with the fact that data on smartphones is less secure than the data on computers and it’s provides an easy recipe for identity theft.
Your life’s information is on your smartphone and computer, but the risk for identity theft from the smartphone is much higher than from a computer. Why? How likely are you to lose your smartphone? Smartphones, such as the iPhone, Andriod or Blackberry, go with us everywhere we go and the small size makes the smartphone much more likely to be left behind than a laptop computer. Combine the higher loss factor with the fact that data on smartphones is less secure than the data on a laptop and it’s provides an easy recipe for identity theft. Prevent identity theft from smartphones with these tips.
Prevent Identity Theft by Securing Smartphones
Prevent an identity thief from accessing your smartphone data in the event of phone loss or theft of your iPhone, Android or Blackberry by encrypting passwords and locking the keypad when the smartphone is not in use. Download a phone tracking app to your smartphone that will track down the phone in case of loss or theft. Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections when not in use.
Don’t Use Unsecured Wi-Fi Connections
Using unsecured Wi-Fi connections exposes all transaction data to everyone else with a Wi-Fi enabled gadget. Hackers can view the transactions made via a smartphone connected to unsecured Wi-Fi and can access bank accounts and other monies. The first trick identity thieves usually use after gaining account access is to add new users to the accounts and change the account holder’s address, sign up for text message alerts that will instantly notify you of questionable transactions taking place in accounts and allow you to stop them immediately.
Delete All Information Before Tossing Out an Old Smartphone
Delete everything from a smartphone before tossing it, donating it or returning it. All call lists, phone books, texts, voice mails, e-mails, pictures and search history. Even the minutest details left on a tossed smartphone could be all that an identity thief needs to gain more information about you, friends or relatives. When uncertain how to permanently delete all information on an iPhone, Android or Blackberry or other smartphone, consult the service provider’s website or smartphone owner’s manual for detailed instructions.
Liked it
