Do not alter security settings for convenience. Tampering with your phone’s factory settings, jailbreaking, or rooting your phone undermines the built-in security features offered by your wireless service and smartphone, while making it more susceptible to an attack.

As a rule of thumb, you should never download apps that you’ve never heard of before. This is especially important when it comes to shopping apps, as they’ll eventually prompt you to provide your payment information. You can trust brands like Amazon and eBay, since they are well-known services that handle millions of transactions each […]

Since Apple’s iMessage application uses the internet to send your texts, it’s vulnerable to “man-in-the-middle” attacks. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use the app, but when you need to have a private conversation with someone or send them sensitive information like your social security number, turn to a more secure messaging tool.

Public charging stations are becoming more common in airports, train stations and malls. While they may be convenient, they’re also a potential security risk. Hackers can compromise these outlets, so that when you plug into them, they gain access to all of your phone’s data.

You should keep your phone’s operating system software up to date by enabling automatic updates or accepting updates when prompted from your service provider, operating system provider, device manufacturer, or application provider. By keeping your operating system current, you reduce the risk of exposure to cyber threats.

To prevent theft and unauthorized access or loss of sensitive information, never leave your equipment—including any USB or external storage devices—unattended in a public place. Keep your devices secured in taxis, at airports, on airplanes, and in your hotel room. The more we travel, the more we are at risk for cyberattacks.