Chances are you have a lot of apps on your phone or tablet that you don’t use. In 2017, App Annie estimated the average smartphone has 60 to 90 apps installed. It’s important to regularly review all of them and see if any can be deleted, since they might be unsupported, compromised or performing unwanted […]

Use your mobile network connection. Your own mobile network connection, also known as your wireless hotspot, is generally more secure than using a public wireless network. Use this feature if you have it included in your mobile plan.

Disconnect your device from the Internet when you aren’t using it and make sure your device isn’t programmed to automatically connect to Wi-Fi. The likelihood that attackers will target you becomes much higher if your device is always connected.

With automatic Wi-Fi connectivity enabled, your phone will connect to any known network or SSID that doesn’t require a password. You might be at risk if these Wi-Fi connections are monitored by untrusted third-parties. Configure your mobile devices to forget networks you no longer need, or just turn off Wi-Fi entirely.

Phone and tablet software should be vetted by approval teams to ensure their quality and security. Such processes are routine on official app stores, but cannot be assured with third-party sources. Accordingly, steer clear of unofficial storefronts or sideloaded apps from websites.

It’s not as popular as it was in the early 2010s, but jailbreaking (or rooting) a mobile device is still a risky practice. It removes many built-in protections and allows the installation of unapproved applications. Stick with the standard OS and keep it updated.