Best Ways To Keep Smartphone Safe From Unwanted Virus

By Author: Angelika Muderris
Total Articles: 13
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Security updates for smartphones are constantly rolled out to patch holes in the operating systems of both Android and Apple to protect users against hackers. Recently, there has been news about hackers exploiting the vulnerabilities found in iOS 9.3.5 while a Linux virus has been bugging Android for some time now. Among the issues that can crop up when a virus has infected your device are:

* Terminating connections
* Install malicious codes into the device
* Place malicious content into apps

Unfortunately, since a large number of our population uses smartphones, and with more people doing their search online and through their phones, it is not surprising that many hackers are attempting to penetrate the cyber world. This means that, regardless of whether you are using refurbished smartphones or a brand-new one, you might be at risk of getting your smartphone prone to hacking if there are no security measures in place.

Causes of Security Issues in Mobile Devices

There are several possible reasons for mobile phones to be more prone to hacking with the primary reason being that ...
... smartphones are prone to being lost or stolen. Keep in mind that if you have misplaced your unit, it is possible that someone who is knowledgeable in smartphones can access your personal details through your device. Other possible source of security issues are:

* Third Party Applications - Third party applications are one of the sources of hacking in smartphones because they haven’t been vetted by both Apple as well as Android. This means that they haven’t passed any safety standards at all. However, Apple has a stronger security system setup compared to Android since the latter is an open-source type of operating system.
* Missing Updates. Another reason why both new and refurbished smartphones are prone to malwares is the fact that users tend to avoid updating their OS when one is available. When updating a phone’s OS, it will require enough storage and battery power too which tend to become a problem with many users hence they skip updating their mobile phones. Unfortunately, this puts their hand held device at risk for viruses.
* Unsafe Browsing Practices. It is also possible for smartphones to become infected by malware because the user isn’t practicing safe surfing. Visiting sites that are considered to be security risks can leave your device vulnerable and missing downloading anti-virus apps can also be a problem.

How to Know if Your Phone has a Virus

There are several signs that your new or refurbished smartphones are bugged already. Here are a few that you should watch out for:

* Crashing Programs. One of the signs that your mobile device is already corrupted by a virus is having your applications keep on crashing on you when in use. Although programs may close suddenly when there is not enough space available, it is also possible that a virus is affecting their functions.
* Battery Drain. A malware that has been operating in the background can cause your phone’s battery to drain quickly with more RAM being used too.
* New Apps not Downloaded. If you browse through your list of apps and you see some that you haven’t downloaded, then it is possible that your device already has a virus that is causing new programs to be installed without your knowledge. It is also possible for Trojan viruses to hitch a ride on existing programs and wreak havoc through them too.

How to Protect Your Phone from Virus for Free

Learning how to know if your phone has a virus is one thing, the second is knowing how to protect your phone from virus for free. Fortunately, there are several steps that you can follow to keep your mobile device from becoming infected.

* Always Update the OS. Regardless of whether you are using brand new or refurbished smartphones, make sure that the OS or iOS is up to date. This way, the device will have all the security features needed to keep any latest virus at bay with adequate anti-virus programs.
* Get an Anti-Virus Program. If you are wondering how to clean your phone from virus, you will need help from anti-virus programs for smartphones. This should be one of the first apps that you install in your mobile device as it helps scan your device for any possible threat.
* Password Enabled. There will be times when someone asks to borrow your mobile device. A good way to protect your smartphone from unwanted access or downloads is to keep it password protected or at least require a password to be entered before any programs will be downloaded from iTunes or Google Play Store.
* Avoid Suspicious Programs. Downloading applications outside of known sources is not recommended since you might accidentally infect your mobile device with a virus. You can also decide which app you can download updates or other programs but take note that there is still a risk at this point.
* Do a Remote Wipe. Another way to keep your mobile device safe from unwanted virus is by setting up a remote wipe. This is particularly useful during those times when you have misplaced your gadget, you have lost it, or someone stole it from you.
* Skip Jailbreaking or Rooting Your Device. What other steps on how to protect your phone from virus free should you try? Well, if you are planning on buying new or refurbished smartphones, make sure that they are not rooted or jailbroken to ensure that any security measures by the manufacturer remain intact.
* Be Wary when Using Public WiFi. Although using public WiFis means you will be able to use the internet for free, there is a risk of exposing your smartphone to malware. It would be better if you avoid using public internet connections when doing personal transactions as it is easy to get your data by hackers through a less-than-secure connection.
* Encryption is Essential. Aside from requiring passwords and PIN numbers to access your device, using data encryption is also recommended both for new and refurbished smartphones. When a file has been encrypted it means that it will not be easily opened unless a code has been entered. Another way to protect your sensitive information, such as your personal accounts and passwords, is to save them in a secure server so that, in case your mobile device gets lost, you won’t lose any information at all.
* Back Up Your Files. You shouldn’t wait until your smartphone is starting to malfunction before you consider backing up its contents. This should be done regularly to avoid losing any data that you have stored in it especially when your smartphone got hacked or has a virus. The good news is that the more recent models of mobile devices let you sync data throughout your gadgets which is a plus. On the other hand, you can also download a program that automatically syncs information to a remote server so you don’t have to do the task yourself.

Are Refurbished Smartphones More at Risk from Virus?

Refurbished smartphones are becoming more in demand lately as mobile phone users are looking for cheaper alternatives to buying expensive premium devices. These gadgets can actually look and feel like new which is a plus given that they are quite cheap too. But there are those who are concerned about whether they are really safe to use?

Buying refurbished smartphones come with several benefits such as:

* Cheaper compared to brand-new premium smartphones.
* It comes with up to a month of cooling period.
* You will receive a one-year warranty when you buy refurbished.
* There is a possibility of receiving free accessories.
* You are reducing your impact to the environment.
* It extends the lifecycle of old mobile phones.

But are they prone to getting infected? Not all of them. The ones that are more vulnerable to hacking are the older refurbished smartphones since they are no longer receiving their much-needed updates. This is because most smartphones are designed to receive updates up to a certain time only. Although your mobile device will still work, up to a certain point, what’s worrisome here is the fact that the security update is missing. This can leave your phone quite vulnerable especially to hacking or virus which is something you should take into account when buying a smartphone.

Unfortunately, not all buyers are well informed when it comes to purchasing refurbished smartphones that they end up getting a smartphone that no longer receives these critical updates. This is why, if you are keen on getting refurbished smartphones, look for sellers that have gained a reputation in this industry since they are in the best position to offer you refurbished units that will give you more years of use with minimal risk on your part.

Should You Stick with Refurbished Units?

There is nothing wrong with choosing refurbished smartphones over new ones since they offer big savings. It is just a matter of considering which seller to approach for your purchase and knowing whether the unit will still be able to receive updates for added protection.

Angelika Muderris is a passionate writer who heads the operations at QwikFone , A UK-based company for refurbished phones.