As Android and iOS developers continue to enhance their platforms’ security and privacy features, hackers are also utilizing advanced tools to bypass them. Therefore, it is advisable to supplement these built-in security measures and mobile apps by proactively safeguarding your smartphone.
Fortunately, numerous free or low-cost mobile security apps can enhance your device’s security. Installing these apps can reduce the risk of data breaches and other security threats, making it worth it for your peace of mind.
Why should you protect your smartphone?
Loss, Theft, or Abandonment
Smartphones are portable and can easily be lost or stolen, which puts sensitive data at risk. If your smartphone contains sensitive information, such as financial details, it could lead to identity theft and financial loss.
Mobile Malware
Mobile malware attacks are not as common as those on desktops or laptops. Taking extra precautions is necessary since detecting malicious software on a smartphone can be difficult. Additionally, identifying phishing links in emails on a smartphone is more challenging than on a desktop, making proactive protection vital.
Business and Personal Use
Using mobile devices for work is becoming increasingly common, creating a significant security risk for companies. Employees using their smartphones to access company data outside the secure network can put the company’s confidential information at risk.
Social Media Security
Even on social media, scammers are around finding their next victim. Since people nowadays spend most of their time on social media, spam and phishing are moving from email to social media while still utilizing the same bait.
Scammers and cybercriminals target social media platforms with phishing scams, fake offers, and bogus events. Therefore, staying vigilant and protecting your device from such threats is crucial.
Proactive protection measures like mobile security apps are crucial for safeguarding your smartphone and other mobile devices.
Mobile Apps to Protect Your Smartphones from Threats
Mobile Antivirus Software
First and foremost, install antivirus software. It can be found in both the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store to ensure the security of your device. While numerous accessible and affordable options are available, researching and choosing software that meets your needs is essential. Our blog reviews various antivirus software, including Bitdefender Antivirus, Kaspersky, Avast, and others.
While free versions offer essential protection, such as scanning and limited VPN data, paid plans provide additional security features. However, it’s worth noting that Android and iOS antiviruses offer different system features. Regardless, the primary function of antivirus software is to scan your device and promptly block any threats. Selecting software that doesn’t take up too much space on your device is essential, and cloud-scanning applications can be a viable option.
Find My Device
Find My Device provides Google with an exceptional built-in security feature for Android devices. This anti-theft tool enables you to remotely lock your phone, log off of it, and delete all of its data, in addition to contacting your phone and viewing its location on a map through the companion software. When you lock your phone remotely, you can enter a message on the lock screen that will stay visible until you turn it off.
Although Find My Device is turned on by default, it is advisable to double-check that you have not inadvertently disabled it. You can do so by navigating to Settings > Google > Security and selecting Find My Device to verify its status. If the feature is not activated, slide the toggle to the On position at the top of the window.
Similarly, Apple devices have their own Find My app that assists in tracking their location even when the device is offline. Activating Find My Device or App not only aids in locating a missing device but also allows the owner to send a message to their phone, sound an alarm, capture an image of the person attempting to open the device, and remotely wipe data.
Bouncer
In a non-artificial manner, while Bouncer can provide you with some level of authority over the actions authorized by apps on your Android device, handling app permissions can be a complicated task. It allows you to grant temporary and selective access to app permissions when required.
For instance, if you wish to enable Facebook to tag a photo but avoid accessing your location continually, Bouncer can come in handy. In addition to maintaining a log of app permission actions, permissions can be revoked after a specific duration or when the app is closed.
Cerberus
Cerberus is a popular third-party anti-theft app for Android that offers exceptional protection. Its functionality is comprehensive and hard to beat by competitors.
With Cerberus, you can safeguard your device in three ways: remotely via a website, remotely via text message, and automatically through alarms. The app offers features that enable you to locate and monitor your phone, lock it, set the alarm, transfer call history, and wipe both internal and external memory.
What sets Cerberus apart is its ability to help you prosecute anyone who takes your phone. It can covertly snap pictures and videos of the person using your device and upload them to the cloud for you to see. The app can even record audio using your phone’s microphone.
Cerberus also has automatic actions that can be set up. For example, you can configure the app to lock the phone automatically if the SIM card is replaced or take a snapshot immediately if the PIN is entered incorrectly.
Twilio Authy
Authy is recommended for managing your 2FA tokens and keeping your accounts secure.
Authy makes it easy to move your tokens between devices, generate login codes, and add new accounts. It supports numerous accounts like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Dropbox. The app is free and available on Android and iOS platforms.
GlassWire
GlassWire is a powerful app that allows you to monitor and control the data usage of other apps on your smartphone. You can quickly identify which apps consume the most bandwidth for uploads and downloads and receive real-time alerts when a new app uses the Internet.
This app is handy if you want to monitor your data usage when you’re not connected to your home Wi-Fi or if you’re worried about certain apps transmitting data without your consent.
In addition to monitoring data usage, GlassWire also includes a built-in firewall that allows you to block certain apps from accessing the Internet. With these features, you can fully control your smartphone’s data usage and ensure your personal information stays secure.
Fing
Do others have access to your home network? Or are all the devices connected to your Wi-Fi network yours? Fing is a tool that can provide you with real-time information about your network, which is essential for troubleshooting and ensuring the security of your home Wi-Fi. In addition to network monitoring, Fing has several other useful tools, such as detecting hidden cameras in hotel rooms, checking your internet connection speed, alerting you when new devices connect, and more.
1Password
Cybersecurity experts strongly prefer 1Password, which generates secure passwords, automatically fills them in when logging into accounts, and syncs them across all your devices. This application is easier to install and use compared to other password managers. Furthermore, it offers additional storage capacity for sensitive images, such as a copy of your driver’s license.
Safe Me
The app assesses your device’s security status and suggests easy-to-follow instructions to improve it. It uses a numerical system to rate your phone’s security based on various factors, such as configuration settings and other variables. If notifications are enabled on your lock screen, your device’s rating may be lower.
Moreover, the app notifies you of security breaches that may have compromised your password. It also offers free instructional videos on various security-related topics and provides detailed guidance on handling such situations.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a strongly recommended VPN service by experts. Although slightly pricier than its competitors, it generally offers a faster connection. What sets this security program apart is its split tunneling feature, allowing users to choose which apps use VPN and which access the Internet directly. Additionally, this app can be installed on every device, such as your computer, smartphone, and smart TV.
If you’re seeking a more cost-effective yet reliable option, Avast HMA! could be worth considering.
CrookCatcher
CrookCatcher captures their photo and sends it to you immediately via email when someone tries to unlock your phone with the wrong code. The email contains a map, an estimated street address, GPS coordinates, and their level of accuracy. You can customize the number of incorrect attempts before the app takes a photo and sends an email alert. One of the key benefits of using CrookCatcher is that it doesn’t drain your phone’s battery because it doesn’t have to run continuously in the background. Instead, it only activates when an incorrect code is entered.
Final Thoughts
Smartphones are especially vulnerable to cyberattacks because many users fail to secure their devices. To avoid becoming a victim, take action and protect your smartphone from potential data loss and identity theft by using mobile apps designed for this purpose. Avoid making the same mistake as others, So check these mobile apps now and prioritize your device’s security today!
Furthermore, security solutions or software for digital organizations are increasingly required. Bitdefender Mobile Security can set up and keep your mobile phone secure. Check it out at our computer software store and save 20-30%!
