If you lost your cellphone today, what would a criminal have access to? Your smses? Your banking details? Your private documents saved in your e-mail? Or sensitive work documents even?

And yet, we carry this invaluable information with us every day. We absentmindedly wander around talking in public while we’re within reaching distance of any opportunistic criminal. But there are also other ways to access information on your phone by means of spyware and other suspicious software.

We use our cellphones more and more to organise and plan our lives and at the same time, make ourselves more vulnerable.

However, there are a few measures you can take to ensure you don’t become a victim.

1. PASSWORD OR PIN

This is your most important first line of defense. Without a PIN or password, anyone can get hold of your cellphone, access your e-mail, bank details, sms and personal information.

And Microsoft’s head of online security agrees.”Using a PIN or unique password is the single most important thing to do as a user of a smartphone to protect the device, the data and your reputation.” According to Beauchere the data on your phone is also more recent than the data on your desktop or laptop. This increases the risk even more.

Last year Microsoft conducted a worldwide online survey regarding the usage of PINs. 10 000 desktop and mobile device users from 20 countries took part. Only 28% of these used a PIN on a device.

2.CELLPHONE APPS

Be very careful which apps you download and where you download them from. It’s great having an app to streamline your life or one to entertain you, but weigh the pros and cons against each other.

Even if an app looks nifty, rather download a similar one from renowned app shops like iTunes, Google Play and Amazon. So some research. Read other readers’ comments, how they rate the app and if they experienced any problems with it.

3. DUBIOUS LINKS

According to research people are 3 times more likely to click on a link on their phone than one on their PCs. The fact that the screen is smaller and dubious links not as easily recognised could be the reason. Be suspicious of request for personal information you receive via links in sms, e-mail or social networks. By clicking on them, you run the risk of identity theft.

4. UNPROTECTED WI-FI

When you use an open WI-FI network in coffee shops, malls and other public places you information isn’t securely sent through the air. Any other person can intercept it during transmission. If you have to do banking on your phone or work with sensitive information, rather wait till your at work or home and have access to a secure WI-FI network.

5. SPYWARE

Without a password cyber criminals can load spyware on your phone and track your sms records, e-mails, banking transactions and location. To prevent this from happening, activate a password or PIN on your phone or download an app from a reputable store to scan for and remove spyware and viruses.

If you’d like to read more on cellphone security, wikipedia has extensive information.

[SOURCES: www.rd.com, www.computerworld.com]