We are all aware of the need to protect our computing devices, with a range of free security solutions for PCs and laptops, but what about our mobile devices?
Smartphones have made great strides in power and capabilities over the past decade, becoming high-end computing devices in their own right, not only owning our apps, photos, and games, but also transforming at a point of entry for work.
As many of us embrace hybrid working, having a work-ready smartphone is a vital tool, but it also needs to be protected from cyber threats. Here are some tips to keep your mobile devices safe.
stay safe online
Unfortunately, some parts of the Internet aren't exactly a safe place to visit, and that can be true when browsing on both a mobile device and a PC.
Dodgy sites may attempt to infect your device with malware or other malicious software, installing trackers or keyloggers, with phishing sites seeking to scam their victims out of their hard-earned money.
Fortunately, Bitdefender Total Security (opens in a new tab) offers an antiphishing system that scans websites and warns you if you enter a fraudulent site. It also comes with the Bitdefender Web Protection tool, which filters all mobile traffic, not just your intentional browsing, to provide real-time protection against any and all online risks.
Full scan, every time
Let's face it: Most of us spend a lot of time on our phones or other mobile devices, using them for a wide range of activities and functions.
This includes any and all apps and services you may have installed on your device, but what do you really know about your apps? Bitdefender's on-install and on-demand scan feature scans your Android phone or tablet to make sure your apps are legal and safe, checking each app once you install it and checking alarms in case of issues.
Bitdefender Total Security (opens in a new tab) also safeguards your phone by using artificial intelligence models to detect unusual activity in applications, as well as stopping threats before they occur and reporting possible fraudulent chats or messages , making sure you never fall victim to the most devious threats.
Beware of scams
Unfortunately, security scams are an integral part of daily life online, with hackers and scammers seeking to defraud victims in any way possible. With many of us checking email or browsing the web on our mobile devices, it can be deceptively simple to accidentally click on the wrong link or website and end up in a fraudulent place.
Fortunately, Bitdefender Total Security (opens in a new tab) comes with built-in scam protection, blocking threats and warning sites as dangerous, keeping your device safe.
And to make sure your internet usage is safe from prying eyes, Bitdefender VPN encrypts all traffic on your device, giving up to two hundred MB of encrypted traffic per day for Android and iOS devices.
yours and only yours
If the worst happens and your mobile device is lost or stolen, you can always be sure that your data is safe from criminals.
Bitdefender Total Security's anti-theft tool (opens in a new tab) lets you remotely locate, lock, erase or send a message to your device in the event of loss or theft. It will still let your phone take a picture of anyone who tries to tamper with it, sending it to your Bitdefender Central account.
The platform's App Lock tool is also able to protect your most valuable apps, securing them with a PIN for that extra level of security, meaning no one can change or tamper with your settings or private information. Finally, its Smart Unlock tool means you can set your phone to allow direct access to your protected apps only when you're using a reliable Wi-Fi network, keeping all your valuable information safe.
To get news about the latest threats, you can also get real-time updates on malware outbreaks and scams on the Bitdefender weblog (opens in a new tab).