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Smartphone security tips
RICHARD WEINER
Technology for Lawyers
Published: August 15, 2014
Jeffrey Fowler of the Wall Street Journal has just published a comprehensive look at smartphone security. Here are some highlights, in case you’re not a subscriber.
Making your phone secure will take some extra effort, but you really need to do it, for reasons I’ve been publishing for years. Basically, anyone who wants to can eavesdrop or otherwise get into your device, especially if it is on an unsecured wifi network.
Fowler cautions that no phone can be made completely NSA-proof, but they can be secured from most hackers and other casual droppers-in.
The best idea from the article is, like Walter White, to have two phones—one personal, one for business. The latter phone would be the secure one. Hopefully, you won’t end up like Mr. Heisenberg….
You can buy devices preloaded with security features. The new Blackphone has gotten the most press, but commenters think that it is fairly limited (like no app store), and also very expensive. Its main feature is a secure software package, Silent Circle, that can be purchased separately.
There is also the small carrier FreedomPop, which has an $8 per month, add-on security function.
Outside of all that, Fowler recommends a few other actions to help secure your current phone.
First, of course, use a strong password, so anyone who finds your phone can’t get into it.
Next, use encrypted call and chat apps. If you want to pay $100 a year, get Silent Circle and its array of security apps, but there are many others. Note that many encryption apps require both parties to the conversation to have the same apps.
Update your software “religiously,” including your OS. Some phones (like my Google Nexus and iPhones) do this automatically, and some don’t. Pay attention.
Be very careful when on a wifi network. If it is not your secured network, connect to a mobile virtual private network (VPN) through a service like Bitmask or Disconnect Secure Wireless.
Also, I would add, losing a phone is a tremendous security risk. There are plentiful “find my phone” apps that you really have to get, if one doesn’t already come on your phone.