1. Lock screen passwords

According to this Pew Research poll, over one quarter of smartphone users do not protect their devices with lock screen passcodes. Let that sink in a moment. Roughly 28% of smartphone users to not protect their devices.

Image Credit: Jack W

2. Update, update, update

It doesn’t end there. The security of your device doesn’t just lie in setting up a passcode for the screen lock. The other big security issue for the mobile crowd is that of updates. A great many iPhone user waits, with baited breath, for the next big iOS update.

App updates occur for a lot of reasons. One such reason is security patches. If you don’t update those apps, chances are you have a security vulnerability waiting to be taken advantage of.

3. Avoid random insecure WIFI networks

Every time I venture into a coffee shop, I see tables filled with smartphone and laptop users at work with their devices. Most of those users have connected to the shop’s Wi-Fi connection. And why not? Why use data on a personal account, when you can hop onto a company wireless connection? After all, companies can afford secure networks, right?

4. Two-factor authentication

I’m going to double back to the lock screen for a moment, to give you one last reminder as to why it is all so very important. This will also serve as another reminder to work a bit harder on the security of your device, as well as your accounts.