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We’re firmly living in the era of the smartphone. Today, our smartphones are powerful enough to replace computers and laptops when it comes to managing financial transactions, viewing our photo libraries or checking our emails. But just how safe are we when it comes to mobile browsing? And is our personal information always secure on our smartphones? 

Considering that our mobile devices are becoming so powerful, it can feel strange that we don’t secure them in the same way as we do with PCs. Anti-virus packages and due diligence against phishing scams still seem like problems for desktop users rather than those browsing on their phones, but with more of us using our smartphones since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, phishing attacks on handheld devices are becoming more common

(Image: Spanning)

As the chart above shows, both data breaches and instances of identity theft are continuing to trend upwards over recent years, so it’s more important than ever to remain vigilant – no matter what device you use to browse the internet on. 

But what can you do if you regularly browse and share personal information on your smartphone? Let’s explore three simple ways in which you can protect your personal data when mobile browsing: 

1. Safeguard Your Browsing With a VPN

Although virtual private networks (VPNs) are more commonly associated with PC usage, they can work wonders in keeping your information private whilst using your smartphone. If you regularly find yourself using public WiFi connections on your phone, it’s especially important to secure your data – just in case you find yourself being snooped on by other individuals lurking on the same network. 

VPNs can also mask the data you send and receive, bypass geo-locked filters and censors online and enable you to access a wide variety of content on platforms based around the world. 

Because we regularly use our smartphones on-the-go, it means that we’re more likely to require access to public WiFi networks. With this in mind, it may be more vital to utilise a VPN as a mobile user than as a PC user if you’re aiming to keep your browsing anonymous and your data safe. 

It’s also important to note that you should do your homework before accessing a VPN to secure your browsing. While the app stores of Apple and Android list many VPN apps that are free to use, there’s a danger that they’re not as private as they make out. With this in mind you’ll need to conduct your fair share of due diligence before settling on a virtual private network for your mobile browser. 

Fortunately, there are many secure and reputable premium VPN services available today which perform exceptionally well in keeping your connection private and blocking out any prying eyes nearby. 

2. Always Update Your Phone’s Software

Although the process of updating your phone can be frustrating, these software updates aren’t just there to add cosmetic enhancements, complicated new features, and slow your phone down (although this is reportedly sometimes the case). 

Many smartphone updates issue bug fixes and improvements to your device’s security, aiding your security against instances of data breaches, intrusive behaviour and your overall vulnerability to cybercriminals. 

Sadly, the longer you go without installing an update on your phone, the longer you’re being left exposed to the risk of losing your private information to malware. Particularly if you regularly browse on public WiFi networks, seek to run updates whenever possible to avoid the prospect of becoming a sitting duck. 

3. Look to Anti-Virus Apps

Another smartphone security essential that’s more commonly associated with laptops or PCs is anti-virus software. However, your smartphones can greatly benefit from flushing out malware, too. 

These programs can help to protect against viruses and hackers. Anti-virus mobile apps like Bitdefender, Norton Mobile Security and Avast can be effective in combating any suspicious activity taking place as you browse the internet on your smartphone – and some platforms can even carry built-in VPNs to help you gain an extra element of security online. 

Our mobile phones have evolved from offline communication and messaging devices into smart handsets that are capable of performing all of the tasks that even the most advanced of computers can cope with. 

As the role of the smartphone becomes more central to our lives, it’s time we began thinking about protecting the higher volumes of information that we send and receive on our phones. Through the use of integrated apps, VPNs and regular updates, we can take some simple steps towards browsing the internet with a greater level of security behind us. 

With mobile data breaches becoming a more pertinent issue since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, users need to be more vigilant and on guard against suspicious activity. There are also imitation apps and services online – so with this in mind, never download an item from your app store without first checking reviews. If a product or service appears to be offering something that seems too good to be true, then it probably is. 

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