Protect Your Smartphone from Hackers

It is hardly news to note that the ever-advancing technology permeating modern life brings with it as many challenges as it does benefits. Sure, it is a wonderful convenience to be able to watch endless cat videos on your smartphone but doing so negatively impacts your attention span and capacity to successfully interact with friends and family.

Our increasing reliance on technology in general and smartphones in particular also make users more susceptible to hackers out to steal your identity, drain your bank accounts and shame you to the world and worse. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to minimize the threat and maximize your smartphones effectiveness and efficiency.

The Wi-Fi No-No: It might seem hard to believe but it is absolutely true – some people still check their bank accounts or make credit card purchases using unsecure public Wi-Fi. You do not want to be one of those people so use a secure connection instead.

Shut It Down: Hackers have grown increasingly adept at exploiting certain smartphone features to access your personal information or current location. The best way to thwart them is turn off such functions as GPS, wireless connection and go-tracking when you are not using them.

Stay Hands On: You paid a lot for that phone, which should be motive enough for making sure you never leave it unattended. The best strategy is to keep in on your person at all times, whether that means your pocket or purse. Also regularly delete your browsing history to minimize the amount of personal information that might be harvested by prying eyes.

App Apprehension: Apps are all about convenience but take a moment to consider whether you really need that much convenience on your phone. If yes, only download apps from trustworthy sources with solid reputations. Make sure to update your apps regularly and delete any old ones you no longer use.

Make Your Password A Puzzle: Passwords represent the front line in the fight against hackers, so it is important to come up with one that is readily familiar to you but poses something of a puzzle to outsiders. Make sure your passwords are at least eight characters long and include a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and other characters.

Trace or Erase: There are steps you can take to ensure your data is safe even if your phone gets stolen r lost. You can begin by setting up your phone to lock itself after a pre-set number of failed log-in attempts.

Keep Up with Updates: Updates do more than just enhance your phone’s functionality; they often also include the latest in security safeguards. Check often to ensure that your smartphone has the most up-to-date software.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.