Mobile Security Best Practices
Mobile
devices are quickly surpassing traditional computers for more and more of our
needs. As these functions evolve and
expand, and we use our wireless tools to access more information, the security
risks multiply.
With the
rapid proliferation of mobile devices not slowing down, malware infections are
on the rise, growing 163% in 2012. Just like the golden days of the internet,
hackers are more than happy to take advantage of this vast new crop of
unprotected devices.
But it’s not
only hackers we need to guard against. We need to make sure other scenarios are
covered, such as: What happens when my phone is lost or stolen? Or, How do I
prevent a data breach? And, How can I manage all this stuff? So with all this in mind, let’s go down the
list:
Authentication
How many of
us just slide a finger to the right to unlock our devices? I’m betting more than half. Whether you choose a secure pattern, a pin or
password, your fingerprint, or your face, make sure you are the only person who
can get past your lock screen. This is
the first line of defense when your phone ends up in someone else’s hands.
Remote Location & Wiping
When a
device is lost or stolen, swift action is a must. Sure, using GPS to track down
a thief is enticing, but the main focus should be to keep data secure by
locking and/or wiping. Apple iPhone lets you use iCloud & Android
uses the Google Sync for remote wiping. There are plenty of good stand-alone apps that do a great job with this too.
Bluetooth & NFC
Turn them
off. Unless using a headset or sharing a photo with a friend, these tools are
open doors into your devices. Both are hackable with the right tools, and can
present real security risks. Viruses
have been found that spread from phone to phone via Bluetooth. So, keep them
disabled when not in use, and if your device supports hidden mode, use that
too.
We’ve
only skimmed the surface here, but the criteria covered above should serve as a
solid starting point to develop a secured mobile device or tablet.
As platforms become more popular, they also become more susceptible to more malware and spyware. This is because malware and spyware programmers look to reach the most possible users to gain maximum profit from their harmful apps. Luckily Malwarebytes, makers the popular and useful Windows malware scanner, have an app for the Android platform. Linked below is a guide to using Malwarebytes for the Android.
Contrary to common knowledge, Apple products are not immune to viruses and malware. As Apple products and OS X become more and more popular, so does the creation of new viruses for the platform. Fortunately, there is a reliable antivirus program for Mac OS X. ClamXav is easy to install and easy to use. The program can be downloaded here. Once downloaded, the site also has a guide for installation and use.
Barracuda can be a helpful spam management tool. This will
give some tips on how to use Barracuda.
When the add-in is installed, it will show up in Outlook.
The “Mark as Spam” and “Mark as Not Spam” buttons will help Barracuda learn
which emails to block or let through (fig. 2). To login, the username is your
email address. If you don’t know your password, you can click the “Create New
Password” button and it will be sent to your email (fig. 3) Once logged into Barracuda, you
can edit your blacklist and whitelist as well as change your spam settings.
Email addresses and domains on the blacklist will be automatically blocked and
whitelisted addresses and domains will be automatically sent through (fig. 4). 
The email scoring system
determines how aggressive Barracuda is at blocking possible spam. Remember that
the lower the number, the more possibility Barracuda will tag/quarantine/block
possible spam (fig. 5).
Proper care of electronics can extend their life and usefulness. Here are some useful guides for caring for iPads and laptops.
Since the volume of spam and phishing emails is up recently, it might be wise to be familiar with how phishing emails work so they can be recognized before any damage is done.
