Though as recently as a decade ago they were largely a luxury, cell phones are now the go-to device for men, women and even children. Over that time period, cell phones have evolved from mobile telephones into devices that enable users to send and receive e-mails and text messages, surf the Internet and do a host of other things few even dreamed of at their inception.
While most would agree the rapid evolution of cell phones has made life more convenient, it has also produced more security risks. The average cell phone is no less likely to be lost than it was 10 years ago, but now a lost cell phone might contain a host of personal information users would prefer not fall into the hands of strangers. In addition, cell phones are now akin to computers, which have long been susceptible to hackers and viruses that put people at greater risk of identity theft. As a precautionary measure, users should consider the following security measures to protect themselves and their phones.
* Use the phone's built-in protection. Most telephones can be locked. All it takes is a password. This built-in protection won't keep a phone from being lost or stolen, but should either of those things occur, the password will be needed to access the personal information stored in the phone.
* Protect your computers as well. Some cell phones allow users to download ring tones, music or screen savers from their computer to their phone. While this is an attractive accessory to many users, it can also be risky. Should a computer have a virus, it's quite possible that the virus software on the computer could be transferred to the phone. To avoid this, stay on top of your computer's anti-virus software, updating it whenever possible and routinely scan your computer for viruses before connecting your phone.
* Don't break the law. Illegal downloading from peer-to-peer Web sites is still a problem, and many users fail to recognize just how problematic it can be. To many, the likelihood of being caught is so slim that it's worth breaking the law. However, such downloads aren't always what they seem, and users could be unknowingly aiding cyber criminals by downloading materials from illegal peer-to-peer sharing Web sites. It's easy to avoid such a fate by only downloading from legal Web sites, which aren't likely to boast unlimited free downloads. In fact, downloading from legal sites will almost always cost money, but those costs pale in comparison to the costs of losing a phone to a virus, having your identity stolen or even facing criminal charges for illegal downloads.
* Make your phone impersonal. Storing personal information on a cell phone is very risky. For example, if a phone is lost or stolen, that personal information is then accessible to whomever finds or steals the phone.
But another danger lurks even if your phone is always within arm's reach. Some cell phone providers store a phone's information on a main server. This includes any files on the phone, any pictures, voice mails, or additional personal information stored on the phone. These cell phone providers have had their servers hacked in the past, which has led to stolen files. While individual users can't keep hackers from hacking into a provider's server, they can make it less appealing to do so if they don't store any personal information on their phones.
* Don't stay "logged in" when surfing the Internet. When surfing the Internet, it can be easier to stay signed in to an e-mail or bank account. While this saves the trouble of having to remember usernames and passwords, it also makes it very easy for thieves or hackers to access sensitive accounts. Never stay logged in to such accounts on your phone.
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