Never give out your password to anyone.

Never give it to friends, even if they’re really good friends. A friend can even accidentally pass your password along to others. Over time the best friend can even become an ex-friend/enemy and abuse it.

Never Use Just One Password.

If accidentally your strong password is exposed to anyone, he or she will have the access to every account of yours. It is also possible that someone working at a site where you used that password could pass it on or use it to break into your accounts at other sites.

Use a Passphrase

Security experts are now recommending a  “passphrase” rather than simply a password. Such a phrase should be relatively long – perhaps 20 characters or so and consist of seemingly random words strung together along with numbers, symbols, and upper and lower case letters. Think of something that you can remember but others couldn’t guess such as RedBanana#56ToyotaFi$h. That’s relatively long – perhaps 20 characters or so — using seemingly random words strung together along with numbers, symbols and upper and lower case letters. Think of something that you can remember but others couldn’t guess such as RedBanana#56ToyotaFi$h. Avoid using famous quotations that might be easy to guess.

Make the password at least 12 characters long

The longer the better. Longer passwords are harder for thieves to crack. But don’t use a password you can not remember.

Include numbers, capital letters and symbols.

Consider using symbols as $ instead of an S or a number like 1 instead of an L, or including an & or % – but note that $1ngle is NOT a good password. Password thieves are onto this. But Mf$J1ravng (short for “My friend Sam Jones is really a very nice guy) is a very strong password for account security.

Don’t post it in plain sight

This might seem obvious to many. But statistics have found that quite a lot of people post their password on their monitor with a sticky note. It is a very bad idea. Best is to remember it. but if you must write it down, hide the note somewhere where no one can find it easily.

Consider Using a Password Manager

Programs or web services like RoboForm (Windows only) or Lastpass (Windows and Mac) let you create many different but very strong passwords for each of your sites. Eventually, you only have to remember the one password to access the program. The program will store all the other passwords for you.

Consider Using Multi-Factor Authentication

There are many apps now to provide this service. Even Microsoft also have their own authenticator app for both Android and iOS. You can just use this two-step verification app to secure your accounts where there is an option. In this App, there will be some random numbers that will be changed within a very short period. After you connect the app as your password protector for any site, you will need to provide the password and the MFA code as the second layer.

Don’t Fall for “Phishing” Attacks

Be very careful before clicking on a link (even if it appears to be from a legitimate site) asking you to log in. it might ask you to change your password or provide any other personal information. It might be legit or it might be a “phishing” scam where the information you enter goes to a hacker. When you are in doubt, don’t click a link. Check the website carefully for slight changes than the original ones it is pretending as.

Make sure your devices are secure

The best password in the world will not be able to protect you if someone can look over your shoulder while you type. If you forget to log out on a cyber cafe computer your accounts are in danger even with a strong password for account security. Malicious software, including “key loggers” that record all of your keystrokes, has been used to steal passwords and other information. To increase security, make sure you’re using up-to-date anti-malware software and that your operating system is up to date.

Use a “password” or fingerprints for your phone too

Most phones can be locked so that the only way to use them is to type in a code. You can use a string of numbers or maybe a pattern you draw on the screen. Some new phones allow you to register fingerprints, which are quite secure. Sometimes when people with bad intentions find unlocked phones, they use them to steal the owners’ information, make a lot of calls, or send texts that look like they’re coming from the owner. Someone posing as you could send texts that make it look like you’re bullying or harassing someone in your address book with inappropriate images or words. So, a strong password for account security of your phone is also important.

These crimes are increasing day by day. A lot of reports are filed and being handled by the authorities. We must try to avoid such incidents and protect ourselves. We also must know How to Stay Safe Online while Surfing the Internet, as laws are strict these days for any kind of ill practices.

Dangers for Your Phone

Your Phone can be Stolen or Robbed

You might lose your phone if you leave it unguarded even for a few moments. Someone can rob you in the streets or any other place. Criminals can get hold of your phone and can blackmail you for your personal data or any other valuable information stored on the phone. Unless you understand the importance of your mobile phone security & took all necessary steps from the beginning.

Scams

This is the most popular form of attack on your smartphone by hackers. Some SMS or Phone call to your cellphone, you require to revert back with some action as their advice. They will try to convince you with a reliable story of their own. Once you follow and fell into their trap, control of your phone can be shared. The same thing can easily happen if you click any unauthorized link which was contaminated and planned to trap you. Nowadays, scams are increasing; so is the importance of your mobile phone security

Carefully Sharing Phone

While sharing your phone with anyone for any purpose, you need to be very careful about mobile phone security. Someone can steal your location information via your phone. Also, they can use your important data for ill purposes. So, beware of the importance of your mobile phone security in such cases.

Public WiFi or Network

Your phone can also fall into danger via a wireless connection to any unsafe network like the public WiFi or any public network. If you connect your phone to any unsafe network and the cybercriminals have their tools set there to access your phone, your privacy will be in danger. You might also become an easy Prey for Hacking. The importance of your mobile phone security should be the first concern rather than using free WiFi.

Your Mobile Phone Security is in Your Hand

You can avoid the majority of the dangers by following some simple steps below –

Stay Aware of Your Phone

Wherever you are you need to be aware of the importance of your mobile phone security. Just being aware and being proactive you can avoid the majority of the dangers of losing your phone. If your phone is stolen or robbed, communicate with the local law enforcement agency to seek help. Keep your phone in a safe place when you are at home and when you are outside making a good habit of checking the presence of your phone every few minutes.

Update Your Phone Regularly

You need to update your phone whenever there is an official update available. These system updates are not only for the features or the UI, Often they cover up lots of security bugs. Also, they add lots of additional safety precautions from time to time to keep you safe from outside attacks by Hackers.

Third-Party Security Software

There are built-in security features in your phone. Still, you might consider installing third-party software such as Antivirus or Anti-malware if you consider added security for your phone if the importance of your mobile phone security is too important due to the professional data security at your workplace.

Avoid Installing Software from Unreliable Sources

Installing software from unreliable sources does make your phone vulnerable to external attacks and risks your privacy. Do not install any software from unreliable sources. If there is any application already installed, delete that completely.

Do not Root Your Device or Jail Break

Rooting your device might open the door to a lot of exciting features, it also opens the door to a lot of security dangers. Avoiding these actions and using only the official version of the system software will decrease the chance of security flaws. If you really care about the importance of your mobile phone security, then rooting is not the option for you at all.

App Locker

Use one additional application for locking your important data like SMS, Images, Videos, etc. This is an easy solution for protecting the intrusion from the known persons around your day-to-day life.

Use a Strong Password

Above all, use a strong Password for Your Account Security & Data Protection. A strong password can protect your data security and privacy. Even if you lose the phone still it is very important to protect your personal documents and information from the phone. Personal data on the wrong hand can cause havoc to life.

Hopefully, the above tips & discussion will help you understand the importance of your mobile phone security. By taking necessary steps you can be safer in this modern digital world.

To learn about how to Prepare for the Digital Future read the passage in the link.