InfoAbout In this article the area cover i.e. how to Protect Android and iOS Devices from cyber threats, phishing attacks & scams. There is always the argument about which of the mobile operating systems – of which there are iOS and Android – is the most secure. While the argument tends towards iOS as the winner, both mobile OSs are prone to attacks unless you have something to do about it. According to the survey the pole Android operating system is user friendly but less secure than iOS.
For example, an Aptoide data breachin April this year exposed more than 20 million Android users. Apple got it worse with a native email app vulnerability that affected all users of its devices – from iPhones to iPads.
If that tells us anything, it is that users on both platforms need to be prepared against anything. Here are some tips on how.
[1] Update Rigorously to Protect Android and iOS Devices
App updates and firmware updates, as well as upgrades, are not there for the aesthetics alone.
Software developers rarely create their codes and leave it that way. They also come back to check for possible backdoors/ flaws in these codes so that they can fix those before hackers take advantage. Such exploits are patched and shared with the user in the form of app updates, firmware updates, and upgrades.
However, these updates/ upgrades will not do much protecting if the user does not download and install them. Likewise, it is important to buy phones from trusted and top OEMs. This improves the chances of getting these updates as at when due rather than being left behind.
[2] Download Mobile Security Applications
The Play Store (for Android) and App Store (for iOS devices) are awash with mobile security tools to help protect users better. One of those apps that guarantee better security of your iPhone and Android devices is an antivirus. There is family tracker app for android and iOS devices.
This is especially important for Android users who have more freedom to download files and documents over the internet. iPhone users are not left out of the mix either.
Password management apps are also a must-have. The average user has tons of online accounts and no one of these accounts should use the same password. Password management software will help reduce password fatigue from wanting to memorize a series of unique passwords for each one of your accounts. The Play Store (for Android) and App Store (for iOS devices) are awash with mobile security tools to help protect users better. One of those apps that guarantee better mobile security of your iPhone and Android devices is an antivirus.
Finally, get a VPN to secure your internet connection. They will come in handy if you travel a lot and/ connect to public Wi-Fi network providers too.
[3] Secure Your Password To Protect Android and iOS Devices
Bio-metrics (facial login and fingerprint access) make it easy to get into most phones these days. That has also given rise to a new wave of poor password habits. Users will not care much about their passwords when they feel that they only have to rest their mobile security on these bio-metrics alone.
Hackers do not need to bypass the bio metrics when they want to get access to a user’s mobile data. They only have to get past the mobile password. Even if the bio metrics were disabled, the password will still be there. A weak one, in this case, means faster access into the device for hackers. While you should not go beyond the characters you can remember, do not settle for less when setting basic device passwords either.
[4] Don’t Jailbreak/ Root
Our mobile phones and devices are capable of more than the manufacturer allows us. However, they know that these phones will be used over time and they cannot maintain such peak performance levels for too long. They would, thus, prefer to step things down to a reasonable level for sustainability.
Getting past these restrictions forcefully is what is referred to as rooting (for Android users) or jailbreaking (for iOS units).
The inherent disadvantages of this are that rooting the phone voids the warranty. On top of that, rooting a device makes it incompatible with system updates and upgrades. It is, thus, impossible for most users with such a bypass to download and install the updates. That puts them in violation of the first tip on this list. Besides, jail breaking an iOS device allows the user to download files from external sources. This takes them out of the walled garden of protection that Apple has installed. Thus, exposing the user to a lot of ills such as viruses and other kinds of malware.
[5] Don’t Sideload Apps
Just in case this message was lost up there, there is the need to reiterate it here.
The official app stores on both operating systems are there for a reason. They make it possible for Apple and Google engineers to scan all the apps on their platform for malicious codes and behavior. If these are sensed, the apps are kicked off the stores. That is their little way of ensuring users are as safe as can be.
Downloading apps from third-party sources do not come with such guarantees. There is no one overseeing the cleanliness of such apps. They might as well be shipped with a virus – and users will invite such malware onto their units by themselves. This is not good enough. Try sticking with the official app stores for app downloads.
[6] Beware Phishing Scams
Phishing attacks are one of the most serious issues plaguing online users these days. Because we go online with our mobile devices more than desktop units these days, it remains a concern to be tackled here too.
The first and the most important step to beating phishing attacks is verifying that each email/ text message comes from who it is said to be from. Look beyond the surface to be sure no one is impersonating your brand, bank, firm, school, etc. with malicious intent.
When unsure, do not click the links in such emails. Do not download attachments that might come in them either. If the message looks urgent, type the intended link in your browser address bar manually so that you are sure you are reaching the right websites.
Final Words related to Protect Android and iOS Devices From Cyber Threats:
There is no single one-size-fits-all model for mobile security. So that Protect Android and iOS Devices is very much important to secure your data. By combining all of the tips mentioned above guarantees a beefier security profile than if they were not there.
