If you are in the habit of saving photos, videos, documents and personal information on your mobile, it is important that you reconsider. Storing this type of information can increase the risk of being a victim of fraud or identity theft.
Mobile phones have evolved beyond being simple communication devices. They are no longer limited to making calls and sending SMS messages, but now offer a wide variety of functions and applications that make them essential tools in our daily lives.
It is for this reason that It’s common for you to store personal information on your smartphone, from photos and videos to files and documents. But it’s crucial to understand that this convenience is not without its risks.especially threats from hackers, so you should take steps to protect your data.
In the search to simplify everything, many have turned their mobile phones into digital wallets. However, storing financial information, such as debit and credit cards, ID or transport tickets, is a latent danger to privacy.
It is for this reason that we share the 10 things you should avoid saving on your mobile to ensure the security of your personal data and information.
passwords
Deposit Photos
Keeping a list of passwords may seem convenient, but it also creates a point of failure in your cybersecurity system. If your mobile is stolen or hacked, the criminal could have access to email accounts, social network profiles and banking applications.
It is important that you do not save this type of information on your computer, no matter how convenient it may be.. Also, avoid replacing strong passwords with weak, easy-to-remember options, as stronger ones will prevent hackers from breaking into your accounts.
Your home address
The address of your home is a very valuable personal data that must be protected at all times, since criminals can track this information through account statements and utility bills stored on your device.
In this case, keeping these details could endanger the safety of your home, but especially that of your family. The advice you should adopt is to delete the files that show your address and prevent the data from falling into the wrong hands.
Recognizable contact numbers
Storing contact numbers under familiar labels like “mom” or “dad” could be an open door for hackers to impersonate you.
In the end, the result would be dangerous, since your closest contacts will receive false messages and they will be manipulated. Change the way you save numbers in your phone book, try to use discreet names to protect your relationships and avoid possible phishing attacks.
Photos of the ID or passport
Although it can be convenient and tempting to save photos of the ID or passport on the mobile for identity verification situations, this habit presents significant risks.
The photos of your identity document could be used by thieves to carry out fraudulent activities, compromising your finances and security. Before saving these types of files to your smartphone, consider the implications and consider safer alternatives.
Keeping your social media accounts connected on your computer can be a significant security risk. If someone has access to your device, they could snoop through your profiles and steal personal information.
The option is to sign out of all your accounts when not in use, but there’s also the alternative of adding an extra layer by setting a PIN or logging in with biometric authentication.
Bank account numbers
Storing account numbers and PINs on your smartphone could put your financial security at risk, especially if your device is lost or stolen.
These data are essential for your transactions and the protection of your credit and debit cards. Avoid saving them in the phone memory and, instead, memorize them or download security applications that help manage passwords, such as 1Password or LastPass.
fingerprint lock
While biometric unlocking is convenient, it’s not 100 percent foolproof. Fingerprint scans, as well as facial recognition, can be vulnerable to spoofing attacks.
In this case, first consider using strong passwords instead of these technologies to protect your privacy.
Intimate photos and videos
Keeping explicit content on your device could expose you to extortion or blackmail, where hackers could steal a compromising photo to ask for money in exchange for not posting it on forums or even sharing it with your contacts.
Thus, This type of material, such as intimate photos or videos, would be used against you if it falls into the wrong hands.. It is important that you delete these files or keep them in password protected folders.
Emails with confidential information
The messages and emails often contain sensitive information that could be exploited by cybercriminals.
Get in the habit of regularly deleting conversations that you consider of great value and keep your inbox organized to prevent the data from being misused.
Documents of the Income Statement and taxes
Keeping valuable documents with sensitive personal, medical or professional information on your mobile could expose you to identity theft and financial risks.
Do not underestimate the importance of keeping your files, such as the Income Statement or the tax receipt in a safe place, so it is crucial to consider the use of encrypted storage applications.