Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog

HomeBlog
Do These Four Things to Secure Your Smartphone

Do These Four Things to Secure Your Smartphone

January 21, 2025

Keeping your smartphone safe for work is important. Your phone likely holds a lot of personal stuff, and if you use it for work, it has access to work emails, files, and other sensitive information. This makes it a tempting target for hackers. Here’s how you can protect it.

Lock Your Phone Properly

Always lock your phone when you’re not using it. Use something secure, like a strong PIN, password, fingerprint, or face recognition. Avoid easy passwords like "1234" or "password"—those are the first things someone will try if they get your phone.

Keep Your Phone Updated

When your phone asks you to update its software, don’t ignore it. These updates often fix security issues, not just add new features. If possible, turn on automatic updates so your phone stays protected without you having to think about it.

Be Ready If Your Phone Is Lost or Stolen

Phones can get lost or stolen, so it’s smart to have a backup plan. Use features like "Find My Device" on Android or "Find My iPhone" on Apple. These tools let you locate your phone, lock it remotely, or even erase all its data if necessary. It’s like having an emergency button for your phone.

Be Smart About Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi might seem convenient, but it’s often not secure. Hackers can spy on what you’re doing. If you need to use it, try a VPN to keep your connection private. Also, when downloading apps, only use official app stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store. Pay attention to the permissions apps ask for—if they seem suspicious, don’t download them.

By following these steps, your phone will be much safer for work. Keeping your information secure is an ongoing job, so stay alert and adjust as technology changes. For more tips on technology, visit our blog regularly.

‍

Previous Post
December 16, 2022
Tip of the Week: How to Capture an Image or Document as a PDF in Android
Google Drive comes with a pre-built feature allowing users to scan a picture or document, and save it as a PDF—at least for Android smartphones. The trick can be pulled off with just a couple of taps, making it easier than ever to import documents to your Drive. Here’s how it’s done.
December 9, 2022
Spam Can Be Tricky, So Keep an Eye Out for These Warning Signs
Sometimes, I kind of miss the oh-too-obvious spam emails that were once the norm. You know, the kind that were supposedly from some usurped royal who needed your assistance to reclaim their rightful place on the throne, or from some absurdly attractive individual who seemed to be coming on to you. Sure, at the time it was annoying, but compared to today’s spam…
November 11, 2022
Metro DC DoD Contractors - CMMC 2.0 NIST 800-171 Audit & Certification
Since September 2020, all DoD contractors have been required to be CMMC NIST 800-171 certified (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) to bid on many contracts.

Have a project in mind?

Start with our free consultation. We will provide a detailed proposal and firm quote based on your specific IT support needs. All at a predictable monthly cost per seat.
Free Consultation - Sign Up Here