How do I secure my smartphone data?

In an increasingly interconnected world, it seems a challenge to control all the personal data we create and share. And so it is. What's more, our smartphones contain a vast amount of our private life that we need to protect.

Don't panic, there are a number of behaviours and tools you can use to look after your personal data and prevent it from leaking out.

Simple steps to protect your smartphone

Lock your phone

Although this first tip seems basic, many users don't lock their smartphone. And yet it's the first security precaution you should take. Today's phones offer several locking methods: PIN code, password, scheme... the choice is yours.

However, if your smartphone allows it, use facial recognition or fingerprinting. These functions have the advantage of identifying you uniquely, with no risk of your password being forgotten or stolen.

Use a secure connection

The way you connect to the Internet also presents significant risks. By connecting to a trusted local Wi-Fi network (at home or at work, for example) or using your 4G/5G data, you are safer than on public Wi-Fi networks (restaurants, airports, stations, etc.). So try to avoid connecting to these sources.

If you are obliged to do so, we recommend using a VPN (virtual private network) to encrypt your traffic and protect your data.

Update your operating system

It's also important to keep your operating system (iOS or Android) up to date. As well as new features, updates often contain important security patches.

That's why we recommend opting for automatic updates. Go to your smartphone settings to activate this function and start installing the latest version of your operating system.

Managing your mobile applications

The applications we download and store on our phones can cause security issues. The official app stores are the Google Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for iPhones. They have the distinctive feature of only offering tested applications, which limits major security flaws. Avoid other application shops or unknown websites.

There is another lever to consider when it comes to applications: the permissions you give them. Review and limit these. A "calculator" application, for example, does not need access to your location in order to function. To do this, go to your smartphone's settings. But make sure you understand the implications of such changes. It may affect the operation of the modified application.

Use two-factor authentification

Two-factor authentification is a way of strengthening the security of your online accounts by adding an extra layer of protection beyond the password. It can be implemented in a number of ways, usually using something you know (your password) and something you own (your smartphone).

• Activate two-factor authentification for a specific application from the account security settings;

• When you try to log in to your account, after entering your username and password, you will also need to provide the second authentication factor. Depending on the method you choose, this could be an SMS code, a code generated by an authentication application, or push notification approval.

Two-factor authentification makes your account more secure because even if someone knows your password, they won't be able to log in without the second authentication factor.

Make regular back-ups

To avoid any loss of data, what could be better than duplicating it and backing it up regularly in other locations? You can opt for a secure cloud or an external storage device. This way, you can restore your information in the event of a problem.

Lookout: a solution to automate the protection of your phone

Lookout aims to protect you against a range of threats, including malware, unwanted apps, phishing and data loss. Here are some of its features:

• Viruses: Lookout scans applications and files on your device for malware, viruses and other potential threats. It can also automatically block suspicious downloads.

• Phishing: Lookout detects phishing attempts by analysing URLs and links in your messages, emails and websites. It alerts you if you access a suspicious or potentially dangerous website.

• Location: If your device is lost or stolen, Lookout lets you locate and lock it remotely.

• Data backup: You can use Lookout to back up your personal data, including contacts, photos and videos, so you can restore them if your device is lost or changed.

• Identity protection: Lookout monitors online data leaks and alerts you if your personal information, such as your email address or phone number, is compromised.

• Wi-Fi connection analysis: Lookout checks the security of the Wi-Fi networks you connect to, alerting you to any vulnerabilities or insecure connections.

• Virus : Lookout analyse les applications et les fichiers sur votre appareil pour détecter la présence de logiciels malveillants, de virus ou d'autres menaces potentielles. Il peut également bloquer automatiquement les téléchargements suspects.

• Phishing : Lookout détecte les tentatives de phishing en analysant les URL et les liens présents dans les messages, les courriels et les sites web. Il vous avertit si vous accédez à un site web suspect ou potentiellement dangereux.

• Localisation : En cas de perte ou de vol de votre appareil, Lookout vous permet de le localiser et de le verrouiller à distance.

• Sauvegarde des données: Vous pouvez utiliser Lookout pour sauvegarder vos données personnelles, y compris vos contacts, vos photos et vos vidéos, afin de les restaurer en cas de perte ou de changement d'appareil.

• Protection de l'identité : Lookout surveille les fuites de données en ligne et vous alerte si vos informations personnelles, telles que votre adresse e-mail ou votre numéro de téléphone, sont compromises.

• Analyse des connexions Wi-Fi : Lookout vérifie la sécurité des réseaux Wi-Fi auxquels vous vous connectez, vous alertant des éventuelles vulnérabilités ou des connexions non sécurisées.