Modern smartphones contain banking apps, personal photos, messages and other important data, so a single careless action can lead to losing control of your accounts. Below are 10 practical tips to help strengthen the protection of your phone and personal information.
1. Strengthen your lock screen protection
Avoid using simple PINs or easily guessed passwords. It is better to set a complex pattern or password and, where possible, enable face or fingerprint unlock. For banking apps, password managers and messengers, it is sensible to activate their internal lock separately so that, if your phone falls into someone else's hands, these apps remain protected. On some newer Android devices, the Identity Check feature is additionally available, requiring biometric confirmation before performing sensitive actions.
2. Protect your Google and Apple accounts
Google and Apple accounts are linked to photos, email, backups and location services. If attackers gain access to them, they can immediately obtain a large amount of personal data. It is recommended to enable two-factor authentication, giving preference to code generator apps or passkeys rather than SMS messages alone. The latter can be compromised during unauthorised SIM-swap attacks. If your mobile operator offers this option, it is worth setting an additional security code on your phone number to make it harder for fraudsters to transfer your number to another SIM card.
3. Enable enhanced protection mode if needed
Some smartphone models have special high-security modes that restrict risky actions. On compatible Android devices, Advanced Protection can block the installation of apps from unknown sources, strengthen connection security and prevent certain dangerous usage scenarios. The set of features depends on the model, operating system version and region, so you should read the manufacturer's official instructions before activating it.
4. Review app permissions
Not every app needs all the permissions it requests. For example, a torch app has no obvious need for access to contacts, and a game usually does not require the user's precise location. It is useful to regularly review permissions for the camera, microphone, location, contacts and photos, and keep only those that are genuinely necessary. For apps you hardly use, it is better to revoke access. Particular attention should be paid to the Accessibility permission on Android, as it can give an app extensive capabilities to monitor user actions or interact with the device interface.
5. Install banking apps only from official sources
Malicious software can mimic the interface of a genuine banking app in order to steal logins, passwords and transaction data. To reduce the risks, you should download only from the bank's official website or a trusted app store, look carefully at the developer's name and avoid installing files from unknown sources. Do not rely solely on search ads, the app icon or the number of downloads.
6. Make backups and enable the device-finding feature
Backups allow you to restore photos, contacts and other important data if your phone is lost or damaged. It is also useful to activate the device-finding feature, which helps you locate it, lock it or erase information remotely. On Android this is configured via the backup section and Find My Device in your Google account settings, and on iPhone via iCloud Backup and Find iPhone. At the same time, remote data deletion is only possible if the device is online, so regular backups remain essential.
7. Keep your operating system and apps up to date
Updates not only add new features but also patch vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit. Delaying updates leaves the device exposed to already known threats. It is recommended to enable automatic updates where appropriate, and to keep your browser, messengers and financial apps up to date. If the manufacturer has stopped releasing security updates for your model, you should consider switching to a device that continues to be supported.
8. Use built-in fraud detection features
Some smartphones already have AI-based tools that analyse calls and messages and can warn you about possible fraud, suspicious links or sensitive content in notifications on the lock screen. Users should check which security features are available on their device and enable them if necessary. At the same time, automatic warnings cannot detect every scam. If someone asks for a password, an SMS code or insists on an urgent transfer of funds, you should verify the information through official channels.
9. Be careful with public Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth
Your phone may automatically connect to previously saved Wi‑Fi networks, even if they are poorly secured. It is better to disable auto-connect for public networks you do not need and delete those you no longer use. When working with confidential information on public networks, it is advisable to use mobile data or a trusted VPN service. A VPN in some cases encrypts traffic, but it does not protect against all types of phishing or malware. For Bluetooth, it is best to disable modes that make your device visible to unknown gadgets when you do not need a connection, and to treat unexpected connection requests with caution.
10. Plan in advance what to do if your phone is lost or your account is hacked
If your phone is lost, you should use the device-finding service as quickly as possible to lock it remotely or erase the data if necessary, contact your operator to block the SIM card, and inform your bank if the smartphone was linked to financial services. At the same time, from another secure device you should change the passwords for your key accounts — first of all for email, Google or Apple accounts and banking services — and check sign-in history, transactions and security settings for any changes you did not make. If you suspect fraud, do not follow instructions from an unknown caller: it is better to end the call and ring back using the official number of the bank or other institution.
Comprehensive smartphone protection involves not only setting a password but also a multi-layered defence: robust account authentication, careful control of app permissions, timely updates and regular backups. These steps do not eliminate risks entirely, but they significantly reduce the likelihood of losing your accounts and help limit the consequences of any incident.