7 good habits for securing your smartphone

Nowadays, smartphones are like a small computer -- it has dual cores, memory, virtual keyboard, camera, speaker, etc -- almost every functional units traditional computer has. It can access TV, USB, internet, wifi, vpn, ftp, sftp, vpn etc. It can host file server, web server, wifi hotspot ... You can browse webpages, edit word document, trade stock, transfer bank money, edit code, run anti-virus, scan ports, run password cracking app ... this list can go on and on until you are fully convinced that smartphones are real computers.

Smartphones start to draw attention from hackers since smartphones became more and more powerful and stores more and more valuable data within.

securing smartphones

Securing smartphones are import and don't necessarily harder than securing a traditional laptop or desktop. Here are 7 good habits for securing your smartphone.

1. Avoid publishing your cellphone numbers on the internet. 
2. Don't root your android or jail-broken your iPhone (if you don't know what you are doing). Your default android and iPhone settings have many security mechanisms from your manufactures to protect the phone, root or jail-break breaks these system and makes your smartphone vulnerable to attackers.
3. If you use iPhone, don't install apps outside App store. Period. If you use android, be cautious about apps from the play store, only install those apps with good reputation. Apple and google have rules for publishing/maintaining/retiring apps in App store and play store. Apps outside the official release channel are more likely have security holes or malicious intention.
4. Don't enable Bluetooth and Personal Hotspot all the time. Avoid running service such as web server, file server for long period of time.
5. Keep your OS and app updated. OS and app update will fix latest security issues.
6. set a screen lock.
7. Don't use webpage for online business, always use an app. If you don't root or crack your smartphone, no virus or worms can be installed on your smartphone without your permission, however, javascript from malicious webpages can do bad things to good webpages you opened at the same time in your browser such as XSS. Using the bank/hospital/e-store provided app instead.