The rise of smartphones is undeniable: nearly everyone in the U.S. owns a cellphone, and most (90%) have a smartphone (Sidoti, et al., 2024). These devices have become integral to our daily lives, both professionally and personally.
Farmers especially rely on this technology for managing finances, staying connected with colleagues and family, accessing critical market information, and managing various aspects of their farm operations - from monitoring weather conditions to tracking machinery and livestock.
However, the widespread adoption of smartphones also makes them a prime target for cybercriminals. Their portability, constant connectivity, and access to sensitive information create numerous opportunities for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities through various means. This includes malware, viruses, and other malicious software designed to steal data, disrupt operations, or even hold information hostage for ransom. As cybercriminals continuously adapt and refine their techniques, it is crucial to be proactive in taking steps to protect your data and privacy on your smartphone.
Here are five essential tips to help these threats and strengthen your smartphone's security in a way we hope is easy to understand and implement:
1. Use Secure Ways to Authenticate Yourself: You can protect your device with PINs, passphrases, fingerprint scans, or facial recognition. These biometric methods offer strong security layers without making it hard for you to use your device and make it more difficult for unauthorized users to
access it.
- Apple Devices: Apple has security features such as Touch ID and Face ID. Touch ID reads your fingerprint with a sensor, and lets you unlock your device, approve purchases, and authenticate app usage securely and easily. Face ID, which is available on most newer models, uses a complex facial recognition system that maps your face with high accuracy.
- Android Devices: You can use fingerprint scanning and facial recognition features, along with strong passcodes or patterns. Android's Smart Lock feature can make it easier for you to use your device under certain situations but be careful to keep your security.
2. Staying Updated: It is essential for security to keep your device's operating system and apps updated. Updates are released by manufacturers and app developers to correct flaws that could be exploited by cybercriminals. Here are the steps to manage updates for both:
- Operating System Updates
- Apple Devices: Open Settings > General > Software Update and make sure that Automatic Updates is On. Android Devices: Open Settings > System > Advanced > System Update and ensure that it is enabled.
- App Updates
- Apple Devices: Open Settings > App Store and enable App Updates.
- Android Devices: Open the Google Play Store and then select Menu > Settings > Auto-update apps.
3. Safeguard Your Network Connections: Exercise caution with public Wi-Fi networks by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your data and avoid potential intercepts by cybercriminals. At home, secure your Wi-Fi with the latest encryption standards like WPA3 and a strong, unique password to prevent unauthorized access.
4. Prepare for Loss or Theft: Enable features that allow you to remotely find, lock, and wipe your device to protect your data if your phone is lost or stolen. This proactive step can be crucial in preventing data breaches.
- Apple Devices: Activate "Find My iPhone" through Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone, enabling you to remotely find, lock, or wipe your device.
Active “Stolen Device Protection” through Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Enter your device passcode > Tap to turn Stolen Device Protection On.
- Android Devices: Turn on "Find My Device" by going to Settings > Security > Find My Device, allowing you to remotely track, lock, or erase your device if it goes missing.
5. Maintain Data Backups: Keep regular backups of your device to cloud services with strong encryption to ensure data recovery. Additionally, regularly review and uninstall apps you no longer use to minimize risk.
- Apple Devices: Use a service like iCloud for seamless backups of your iPhone. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and toggle on the apps that you want to enable iCloud. iCloud encrypts your backups for added security, ensuring that your data is protected.
- Android Devices: Use Google Drive to back up your Android device by navigating to Settings > Google > Backup. Ensure the "Back up to Google Drive" option is enabled for automatic backups. Android backups include app data, call history, contacts, device settings, and messages. Google Drive also uses encryption to secure your backups.
In addition to using built-in cloud services such as iCloud for iPhone and Google Drive for Android, there are several third-party backup services that are available. Here are a few notable options:
- Backblaze: Offers unlimited data backup with strong encryption, suitable for both personal and business use.
- Dropbox: Known for file sharing and collaboration, Dropbox also provides secure file backup options with file versioning and recovery features.
- Microsoft OneDrive: Integrated with Windows and offering a seamless experience for Microsoft Office users, OneDrive supplies robust backup and file synchronization services.
- Carbonite: Offers cloud backup solutions focused on data protection and recovery, with automatic cloud backup services for computers and external storage devices.
These services all offer various features, including secure data encryption, automatic backups, and easy data access and recovery options. Choosing the right service depends on your specific needs, such as storage ability, privacy requirements, and budget.
These important tips help you improve your smartphone's security, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to access your personal information. By using safe authentication methods, updating your device and apps, being careful with network connections, planning for loss or theft, and backing up your data, you are taking important steps to protect yourself. In today's world, where our smartphones are essential parts of our daily lives, it is crucial to prioritize their security. Following these tips begins to ensure that your device works as a dependable tool rather than a security threat.
To view the spring 2024 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.
