Six Steps to Improve Your Mobile Security

Mobile phones and tablets allow you to access the Internet quickly and easily from virtually any location. Along with this convenience, however, these devices also present potential security risks to your personal and financial information.

By following these six simple steps, you can  improve your mobile security  and  protect your personal and financial information while you’re on the go.

1. Know Where Your Phone Is: More than 5.2 million mobile phones were lost or stolen in 2014, alone.^[i] Always be aware of where your device is and set up a secure password to lock your phone in case it falls into the wrong hands.

2. Protect Your Money: When shopping or  banking online, make sure you are using a secure app or that the URL of the website begins with “https://” to ensure you are accessing a secure site. URLs beginning with “ http://” are not secure. Though many “safe” websites are not necessarily secure, when divulging personal information online, it is best to err on the side of caution and trust only https connections.

3. Keep Your Software Up to Date:  Keeping your operating system and web browser applications up to date is the best defense against viruses and malware. For iOS and Android mobile devices, you will be prompted by a notification when it is time to update your device to the latest software.

4. Beware of Unknown Apps: Review all privacy policies when you sign up for a new app so that you understand exactly what data that app is allowed to access from your mobile device.

5. Know Your Network: Be wary of public wireless hotspots. Be sure to confirm the correct network name with appropriate staff at that location and avoid online banking or shopping when connected to a public network.

6. Disable Remote Connections: Mobile devices are equipped with wireless technologies such as Bluetooth that allow them to connect to other devices. Older versions of this technology have been discovered to have security vulnerabilities that allow third parties to eavesdrop on your communications. Make sure these features are turned off when they are not in use to restrict access to your mobile device and help improve your mobile security.

Please visit the Privacy & Security page of our website for more information about how UFB Direct works to offer safe and secure online and mobile banking experiences for our customers. For information about our high-yield checking and savings accounts, including our Premium Money Market, please feel free to contact us by phone at 1-877-472-9200 or by email at customerservice@ufbdirect.com.

Footnotes

[i] "Smartphone thefts drop as kill switch usage grows," Consumer Reports, June 11, 2015.