The internet provides us with a near unlimited supply of information, entertainment, and communication no matter where we are in the world. While, generally, it’s a force for good, many users are growing ever more concerned by data piracy – a very real issue.
It’s not all that difficult now for users to gain access to your data, either directly from your smartphone or remotely over public WiFi. Heck, even huge corporations like Facebook are selling off your data to all and sundry.
If you’d like to better protect your devices from these types of practices, here’s six simple steps to achieve it:
Use a complicated passcode
Your first step on the road to security should be to protect your physical device from pesky intruders. The best way to start is to set up a complicated passcode so it’s not easy for prying eyes to gain access to your device.
We recommend using all six digits on your smartphone and using a complicated number sequence that only you can remember. Avoid using patterns as thieves can monitor you in publicto learn it before stealing your phone.
We’d also recommend enabling the option to erase all data on your phone after 10 incorrect passcode attempts. Just don’t mention that to your friends or there’ll be many a drunken joke at your expense.
Enable Touch or Face ID
Next up, we recommend enabling Face or Touch ID on your device as this is generally much more secure than a passcode. After all, a thief would literally have to have you present to gain access to your smartphone.
Use Find My Phone
If you do end up losing your smartphone, you’ll be glad you turned on the Find My Phone feature. Not only does this help you or the cops locate your smartphone, it also allows you to remotely erase all data in the event that you really can’t find it. Success!
Use a VPN when using public hotspots
If you use public hotspots regularly and want to protect your data, we strongly recommend using a VPN. Not only does this hide your browsing activity from all and sundry, it also has other benefits.
A VPN basically connects your smartphone to another server on the internet, allowing you to use that server’s internet connection instead of your own.
This effectively prevents any untrustworthy sources from accessing your data, hides your location, and allows you to bypass geographic restrictions. It’s a clear winner.
