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Smartphones have become a great answer to the disorganized life. You can buy practically anything with just a few swipes, schedule your appointments and store all your photos and home videos in this one, convenient location. You can also manage your accounts, check your balance and deposit checks through [Quorum’s mobile banking app and/or website]. Unfortunately, all of that convenience comes at a price: Your mobile devices pose an inherent risk to your security if they fall into the wrong hands. The good news is, there are ways to protect your phone and your information from fraud.
Here are 6 tips for keeping your device safe and secure.
1. Keep your phone locked.
If your entire life is on your phone, you run the risk of giving up complete access to your identity if your phone is stolen or misplaced. The best way to prevent this from happening is to have a lock on your screen. Opt for a biometric lock if possible, such as fingerprint or face recognition; meaning no amount of automated password inputs can open your phone. Consider installing a tracking device/app on your phone as well to help you locate it and retrieve or erase the data if it gets misplaced. Finally, adjust your phone’s lock settings so the screen automatically locks after the shortest amount of time being idle.
2. Choose strong, unique passwords across all your devices and apps.
Passwords should be a blend of letters with varied capitalization use, numbers and symbols. Be sure to use a different password for each of your devices, apps and other online accounts, and to change up your passwords approximately every six months. Don’t store the info for all your passwords in one location on your phone or have your device “remember” your passwords. If you find it challenging to recall all your passwords and login credentials, you may benefit from a password manager like Sticky Password or LastPass.
3. Browse safely.
Follow these rules for safe online browsing:
- Never share your personally identifiable information (PII) with an unknown contact. - If an alleged representative of your financial institution reaches out to you regarding an issue with your account and you’re unsure of whether this contact is legit, reach out to them directly through a secure channel to confirm their identity. - Don’t store your credit card info in online shopping accounts. - Keep your security settings current. - Avoid clicking on pop-up ads or links in emails from unverified senders.
- Look for the padlock icon and the “s” after the “http” in the URL of each landing page you visit to ensure it’s a secure site.
4. Use secure Wi-Fi.
The first thing many people do when they sit down in a restaurant, at a bar, or almost anywhere, is search for free Wi-Fi access. It’s an easy way to save on data, so why not? Simply put, using public Wi-Fi makes you vulnerable to hacking. It’s best not to use public Wi-Fi at all, especially when banking online. To keep your device safe while using public Wi-Fi, connect to a virtual private network (VPN). Changing your virtual network will protect your location and sensitive information from scammers. In addition, be sure to keep your own Wi-Fi locked to prevent strangers from accessing your network.
5. Encrypt your data.
Your phone stores loads of your PII, which can make you vulnerable to identity theft if it’s stolen or misplaced. Protect your information by encrypting all sensitive data on your phone. Most modern devices have encryption enabled by default, but it’s important to verify and enhance it where possible.
Apple Devices
Apple automatically enables Data Protection when you set a passcode. To confirm this:
- Enter your passcode to unlock. - Scroll down to confirm that Data Protection is enabled.
- Go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode depending on your device).
For added security:
- Enable Advanced Data Protection for iCloud (if available in your region) This extends end‑to‑end encryption to iCloud backups and more sensitive data.
- Use a strong alphanumeric passcode.
- Go to Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Advanced Data Protection and follow the prompts.
Android Devices
Most modern Android devices are encrypted automatically by default once a screen lock (PIN, password, or pattern) is set. In many cases, there is no separate “encrypt phone” switch to turn on—encryption happens behind the scenes.
To confirm encryption is active:
- Look for Encryption & credentials (menu names may vary by manufacturer). - If a screen lock is enabled, your device data is protected.
- Go to Settings → Security or Security & privacy.
Additional tips:
- Keep your device updated with the latest Android security patches. - If you use removable storage (like an SD card), check whether it can be encrypted separately, as this varies by device.
- Always enable a screen lock—without one, encryption cannot fully protect your data.
6. Keep your phone up to date.
Software updates do more than add new features—they often include critical security fixes that protect your phone from newly discovered threats. Set your device to install updates automatically when possible, and don’t delay updates when they’re available. An up‑to‑date operating system helps close security gaps scammers are quick to exploit.
If you believe your device has been compromised, and/or you’re vulnerable to identity theft, notify your financial institution immediately. Alert the FTC as well.
Smartphones bring a lot of convenience into our lives, but they carry an inherent security risk. Use the tips outlined above to keep your device safe from fraud.
