These six easy tips will secure your mobile phone

ISLAMABAD: In its awareness campaign, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has shared six useful tips which has made it very handy to secure mobile phones. 

As numerous users in Pakistan are facing security and privacy issues, PTA initiated a campaign to help people cope with such problems on their own.

Following are the six tips shared by PTA, which are generally recommended by cyber-security experts around the world:

1. Always lock your mobile using a “Pin/Password” to avoid its misuse.

2. Install Apps only from “trusted app stores”.

3. Turn-off bluetooth connection of device when not in use.

4. Must encrypt data on internal and external media.

5. Timely install updates/patches.

6. Always use a VPN on public Wi-Fi/un-trusted network.

Further explanation of aforementioned points:

Using PINs/passwords/patterns to lock phones is always highly recommended other than bio-metric technologies such as fingerprint scanner, touch id and facial recognition setup.

Regarding “trusted app stores”, it is emphasized that one must always install apps from Apple’s App Store or Google Play Store.

Leaving the Bluetooth turned on, can also present major security risks as it may connect with unwanted networks.

It is important to timely install Android/iOS security updates and security patches as they secure phones and make them more invulnerable.