SECURITY HINTS & TIPS: Mobile Device Security

DOs: Best Practices for Mobile Security

Implement these habits to strengthen your mobile device’s defences.

🔒 Physical Control: Maintain physical control of your device at all times.

🔑 Strong Passwords: Use strong lock-screen PINs/passwords (e.g., 6-digit PIN with auto-wipe after 10 failed attempts) and set the device to lock automatically after 5 minutes.

🤳 Biometric Authentication: Consider using biometrics (fingerprint, face) for convenience and protection.

🔄 Software Updates: Update device software and applications as soon as updates are available.

🛒 Minimal apps: Install a minimal number of applications to reduce the attack surface.

✅ Official apps: Only install apps from official app stores. Avoid installing apps from links provided.

🗑️ App Management: Delete unused or unsupported apps.

❌ Inactive apps: Close applications when not in use.

⚠️ App data and privileges: Be cautious of personal data entered, and don’t grant excessive privileges to apps.

📴 Bluetooth connectivity: Disable Bluetooth when not in use and disable automatic pairing.

📍 Location: Disable location services when not needed.

🔌 Charging: Only use original or trusted manufacturer-purchased charging cords.

🛑 Removable media: Avoid connecting to unknown removable media.

📸 Protection: Cover the camera when not using it.

🚫 Suspicious Activity: If an unexpected pop-up appears, forcibly close all applications.

🔋 Maintenance: Power the device off and on weekly.

📶 WiFi management: Disable Wi-Fi when unneeded and delete unused WiFi networks.

DON’Ts: Avoid These Risky Behaviours

These actions significantly increase the risk of compromise.

📶 Public WiFi: DO NOT connect to public WiFi networks if possible.

⚡ Charging: DO NOT use public USB charging stations.

🔗 Attachments/Links: DO NOT open unknown email, SMS or text message attachments and links.

📲 QR Codes: DO NOT scan unverified QR codes, as they can be tampered with.

🔨 Device Tampering: DO NOT jailbreak or root your device.

🗣️ Sensitive Information: DO NOT have sensitive conversations in the vicinity of mobile devices.

💬 Sensitive Information: DO NOT trust messages (on platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram) that attempt to get you to reveal personal information.

📍 Sensitive Locations: DO NOT bring your device with you to sensitive locations.