3 Myths About Mobile Security

As technology experts who solve tech problems all over Minneapolis, the folks at Tech Guru understand.  Mobile security isn’t something you want to think about.  You want your mobile device to make you smarter, more productive, more successful, and better looking, but words like “encryption” and “phishing” take away from the glamour of your gadget.  It’s time to debunk what you thought was true about mobile security.

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Myth #1: Securing Your Device is Complicated

Whether securing your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, taking the necessary steps need not be difficult.  Even making the most preliminary moves towards security can save you serious problems down the road.  Take a few minutes now to do the following:

  • Auto-lock the device after 5 minutes idle.
  • Enable automatic updates for apps and operating system.
  • Disable Bluetooth and Wifi radios when not in use.

Myth #2: It Won’t Happen to You

Scammers abound when searching the web, and using the web on a mobile device only makes you more vulnerable to becoming a victim.  One step you can take to protect yourself is to understand the anatomy of a URL.

For example:

www.techguruit.com/blog/pagename.aspx

  • pagename.aspx – name of the web page on the server
  • /blog – folder on the server
  • .com – Top Level Domain
  • techguruit – domain name
  • www. – subdomain

The domain name (between the first set of dots from the right) is the root domain and ultimately

the source of your website. The domain name must be registered with a domain registrar.

Subdomains, folder names, and page names can all be easily manipulated. Be wary of URLs

with lots of subdomains strung together. Even better, enter the URL yourself in a browser to go

directly to the website instead of clicking on the link.

Myth #3: You’re on Your Own

Your IT department or tech support company is made for a crisis.  A breach in security should be acted upon quickly, and depending on the severity of the problem, you may want to get your favorite IT person involved.

Call for IT help if:

  • Your email account is sending spam messages to your contacts
  • You think you might have entered information into a phishing website
  • Your phone is lost or stolen
  • You are not sure if an app is safe to install

Taking steps to mobile security can be simple.  Our two-page FREE whitepaper download on mobile security gives you all the details you need to ensure a secure connection, wherever you go.

Dan Moshe helps business owners in the Minneapolis area with all things tech, and is the CEO of the Caring IT company Tech Guru.  He cares about your business as much as you do!