Smart Cents

Just like a computer our cell phones are at risk of being compromised by malware, viruses and fraudsters. If you think your phone has been compromised or if you are just looking for tips about keeping it secure, we have some tips and resources below.

If a fraudster has gained access to your phone through malware, an app you downloaded, or other means, you have a few options:

1. Turn your phone off: This will prevent fraudsters and malware from accessing anything on the device.
2. Turn Airplane mode on: This will disconnect your device from Wi-Fi and cell services preventing unwanted access to your phone.
3. Use the safe or lockdown mode: A way to navigate your phone while still disabling potential threats and is different depending on what type of phone you have.
   • Android: According to lifewire.com setting your phone to safe mode will disable third-party apps while you safely inspect your phone. Accessing this feature depends on your phone model, but generally you can find it by long pressing the power button until the “safe mode” option pops up. You can then navigate to your security settings.
   • Apple: A good way to lock your iPhone down for review is to enter “Lockdown Mode” which is located under Settings> Privacy and Security> then scroll to the bottom. This will limit the iPhone’s functionality if your phone is being targeted according to pcmag.com.

Review Security and Access: Now that your phone is not accessible, you can take your time reviewing your general privacy settings, what apps you have downloaded, and what permissions you have granted to these apps. When in doubt delete questionable apps, reduce app access to photos, microphone, etc. as much as possible, and consider reaching out to your cell phone manufacturer's support team or an IT service, like Geek Squad, for more detailed and in-depth help. If you are looking for additional information on keeping your cell phone safe, check out these resources below.

• FTC: How to Protect Your Phone
• PCMag.com: How to See if Your Phone has Malware
• LifeWire.com: How to Tell if your Phone Has a Virus

Remember if you think you have had any fraud experiences it’s always good to reach out to your financial institution so we can help ensure your banking information and credentials are secure. We also have a dedicated article on responding to fraud if you need to take action beyond locking down your mobile device.