Jakarta, Gizmologi – Maintaining smartphone privacy has become an important part of our daily lives. Smartphones themselves are useful for communication, and these devices also store various personal data, from photos, messages, to financial information. Therefore, maintaining privacy and data on smartphones is very important.
Remembering, the current era is an era of increasingly rapid technological development. Therefore, cybercriminals can target anyone who has a smartphone. However, you can also protect your privacy and various existing data in several ways to protect your privacy. Now, the government has also started to be fair in helping the public to protect their privacy and data, this has been confirmed by the Ministry of Communication and Information regarding data protection.
Some of the recommended methods are easy and all smartphone users should be able to do them. Therefore, here are some ways you can do it:
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Use a Strong Screen Lock Is the Easiest Way to Maintain Privacy
The first step in maintaining privacy on your smartphone is to use a strong screen lock. You can choose between a PIN, pattern, or password. Be sure not to use combinations that are easy to guess, such as birth dates or simple number sequences. Some smartphones also provide facial or fingerprint recognition features that can add an extra layer of security.
It is also stated that this is the simplest way for you to protect the privacy and data on your smartphone. This method itself is a method that smartphone users should have done in order to protect their privacy and data.
Update Software Regularly
Software updates often contain important security fixes. Smartphone manufacturers and app developers regularly release updates to patch discovered security holes. Therefore, make sure to always update the operating system and applications on your smartphone to the latest version. In fact, most smartphone brands also always recommend this, so that the security system will always be updated and ready to ward off all cybercrime threats.
Be Careful with Downloaded Apps
When downloading apps, make sure to only download from trusted sources, such as the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Avoid downloading apps from unknown third-party websites, as they may contain malware. Additionally, pay attention to the permissions requested by the application. If an app requests access to data that is not relevant to its function, you should reconsider downloading the app.
Enable Data Encryption To Maintain Privacy
Encryption is the process of converting data into a code that cannot be read without a special key. Many modern smartphones are already equipped with data encryption features. Make sure to enable this feature in your device's security settings. With encryption, your data will be safer if your smartphone is lost or stolen.
Use Security Application
There are many security apps available for smartphones that can help protect your privacy and data. Antivirus apps can detect and remove malware, while VPN (Virtual Private Network) apps can encrypt your internet traffic and protect you from hackers. In addition, there are also applications that can help track the location of your smartphone if it is lost or stolen.
Avoid Using Public Wifi for Important Transactions
Public Wi-Fi is often unsafe and can be used by hackers to steal your personal data, in other words it does not maintain privacy. Avoid making important transactions, such as banking or online shopping, while connected to public Wifi. If you have to use public WiFi, make sure to use a VPN to encrypt your connection.
This is something that smartphone users often do. Many cafes in big cities already use public WiFi, so that everyone can access and connect to the network. However, the party providing the connection does not guarantee the privacy of everyone who is connected, so you should be able to choose the network you use, and avoid using public Wi-Fi as much as possible.
Backup Data Regularly
Performing regular data backups is an important step to ensure you don't lose important data if your smartphone is damaged, lost, or infected with malware. you can backup to the cloud or to an external storage device. Make sure to enable the automatic backup feature if available.
Beware of Phishing and Fraud
Phishing is a technique used by fraudsters to steal personal information by posing as a trustworthy entity. Be wary of suspicious emails, text messages or phone calls and never give out your personal or financial information to anyone you don't know to protect your privacy.
Please note, this is one of the most common methods used by cybercriminals. Phishing itself will be very similar to an email or chat that we often open, and you can also find phishing modes through messaging applications, such as WhatsApp. Therefore, you must develop a skeptical nature, so that you can minimize becoming a victim of phishing.
Disable Unused Features
Features like Bluetooth, NFC, and location can be security holes if not used wisely. Disable these features when not in use to reduce the risk of hacking. The NFC feature itself is a feature that is quite sensitive and can scan without the user's knowledge.
Maintaining privacy and data on smartphones requires awareness and proactive action. By following the steps above, you can improve the security of your device and protect your personal information from unwanted threats. Remember that digital security is a shared responsibility, and every small step can make a big difference in protecting your privacy.