Our smartphones carry an abundant amount of information in today’s world. There are several ways that faulty security measures can put you at risk; here are a few safety tips that you can implement right now to decrease your vulnerability:

Use a password or pattern to lock your phone

This tip should go without saying, but research shows that over half of consumers do not password-protect their phones. Leaving your device without this security measure invites anybody to enter your life. From photos of loved ones to saved passwords, there is too much at risk to leave your phone without this first safety step.

Do not give out personal information

Scammers are getting savvier as time passes. They can easily trick you by calling from familiar numbers pretending to be a family member who needs money or sending you a text saying a bill is due. These methods are designed to get you to give up your bank and/or credit card information. If you receive calls that seem out of the ordinary, do not move forward – delete the text or hang up the phone. It is best to call your bill collector or family member directly to verify what just happened.

Keep your systems updated

Hackers rely on vulnerability in mobile operating systems. Many of us turn off automatic updates; however, it is imperative to keep our phones equipped with the latest software. These rollouts include fixes to our systems where there is a weakness. Without the upgrade, our phones become susceptible to corruption like malware and become easily hackable.

Do not use public Wi-Fi

Hop into any neighborhood coffee shop, and you’ll probably find free Wi-Fi for guests. Log into your bank at this coffee shop while connected to the Wi-Fi, and any sophisticated hacker will be able to gather the data that you inputted. While these attacks are becoming few and far between, it is best to practice good habits and not use shared networks.

Use a password manager

Reusing the same password for every login is never a good idea, and neither is using your notepad to keep track of these passwords. Password managers like LastPass have become increasingly popular for their ease of use. Create an account with any password manager, and that will be the only password you need to remember as the app takes care of the rest for you.

Enable two-factor authentication

We all know a friend or a friend of a friend who has had their Facebook page hacked. Friends and family will begin receiving messages that say you need money for some emergency, while the scammer is the person sending these messages out. Once you lose access to an account, it can be nearly impossible to regain control. Most websites with logins have implemented two-factor authentication. Two-factor requires you to log in to your account, approve the login from another app, or input a texted code. This extra security measure is becoming essential for almost every website you are on that stores your data.

It is too easy for hackers to find almost everything they need to about you. An attack can happen at any moment, but you can protect yourself by being proactive and carrying out some methods above.