Martin Lewis Shares Crucial Smartphone Security Tips Amidst Rising Theft Rates
In an urgent warning aimed at both iPhone and Android users, financial expert Martin Lewis underscored the necessity of implementing fundamental security measures for mobile devices during his appearance on ITV’s This Morning.
With the specter of increasing smartphone thefts looming, he emphasized that neglecting proper device setup could lead to significant vulnerabilities for users if their phones are lost or stolen.
Among his recommendations, Lewis advocated for the establishment of a five-digit security code and urged viewers to disable on-screen notifications.
As mobile phone theft figures spiral, he elucidated the straightforward tactics that individuals can adopt today to fortify their devices against potential threats.
This advisory comes on the heels of recent appeals from MPs on the Commons Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, expressing discontent with technology companies for their insufficient efforts to combat smartphone theft.
The committee articulated concerns regarding the lack of preventive measures that would hinder stolen devices from linking to cloud accounts overseas.
The issue of mobile phone theft has escalated dramatically in recent years, particularly in London, where approximately 80,000 devices were reported stolen last year, according to Metropolitan Police statistics.
Many of these pilfered devices are believed to have made their way abroad, with the Metropolitan Police recently alleging a smuggling network responsible for shipping as many as 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China within the last year alone.
To counteract this trend, Mr. Lewis suggested that users should commence by downloading a specific application.
He elaborated: For every smartphone user, if you’re on Apple, utilize ‘Find My Device’; if on Android, the SmartThings app will suffice.
While this won’t prevent your phone from being sold, it does reduce your risks. The two primary threats: losing your device, necessitating insurance claims, and unauthorized access to your personal information.
Lewis accentuated pivotal smartphone settings that users ought to activate—especially concerning banking applications.
He advised: “Ensure your biometrics, such as facial recognition or fingerprint ID, are logged into your device and also activate them in your banking apps. This is essential—not merely on one, but on both.”
Next, he urged viewers to execute a specific sequence on their devices: “Everyone should do this now. Enter *#06#. You will see a series of barcodes; these are your IMEI numbers. Capture those, email them to yourself, as they serve as identification should your phone be stolen.”
Lewis also recommended disabling preview notifications: “This step is crucial. Turn off preview notifications, particularly when receiving text codes for transactions. Having these codes displayed on your lock screen can be detrimental.”
He elaborated: “Disabling these previews means you’ll receive an alert without exposing sensitive information. Thus, if your phone is stolen, thieves will be unable to access your security codes.”
Finally, he encouraged individuals to explore their device’s security settings: “Review the security configurations unique to your device. None of these measures can entirely prevent theft, but they significantly diminish the potential for fraud should your device be compromised.”
Source link: Glasgowlive.co.uk.
