Christmas and New Year is a time to be merry and full of festive cheer. But when it comes to losing or having your mobile phone stolen, cheer can soon turn to tears, according to Lookout Mobile Security (www.mylookout.com), the leader in mobile security.
In a recent survey conducted by Lookout among mobile users, around two-thirds admitted they were ‘very worried’ or ‘worried’ about their phone being lost or stolen, a figure that is set to rise as we embark on a series of parties, presents and pantomimes. A third of those questioned confessed that they could last just a couple of minutes to a couple of hours if their phone was lost or stolen – 10 per cent couldn’t survive at all!
While most expressed serious concerns over the safety of their phones and what is on them, very few actually do anything to protect them, according to Lookout’s research. More than 85 per cent have no way of tracking a lost or stolen phone, 60 per cent do not use a PIN or passcode and 74 per cent do not regularly back up personal contacts and information.
With less than two weeks to go until the ‘big day’, Lookout has provided some simple tips on how to keep your mobile safe during the Christmas and New Year holiday period:
- Be crowd-aware – if you are at a Christmas party, in a busy shop or running around town on public transport, keep your phone tucked deep in your bag or in a zipped pocket out of sight.
- Lock the door – set a password, PIN or a handset lock on your phone to make it difficult for anyone to use it if you lose it.
- Secure & protect – use a free mobile security app like Lookout to safeguard your phone. If it goes missing you can track its location, sound an alarm and even wipe the contents remotely. Download Lookout in the Android Market or App Store.
- Think before you download – One of the most exciting things to do with your smartphone is explore all the great applications you can download onto it. But, as you explore make sure you only download apps from sites you trust, check the app’s rating and read the reviews to make sure it is widely used and respected.
- Don’t go public – Public Wifi networks are everywhere – coffee shops, train stations, cafes, etc – but security for these networks is not. Be careful what you do on public Wifi, and in particular use extra caution when shopping and mobile banking unless you’re confident you have a secure connection.
Kaynak : 