Some of the Best Methods to Protect Your Mobile Device From Unauthorized Use

As smartphones have grown smarter, they have become stuffed with more data that needs to be kept private for the owner’s security and safety. Thus, it's fortunate that there are also more ways to protect a smartphone against unauthorized use. Below let's look at some of the best types of authentication for your mobile device.

#1 Passwords
The ancient standby of authentication, a fully-realized password can be a very effective security measure, but a password with limited effort put into it can just as easily be a significant security risk. Despite this, a password can still be the best security measure available for your mobile device. Still, there is one huge flaw to the password: it can quickly feel monotonous and inconvenient to enter it each time your phone needs to be utilized.

#2 Pattern Lock
Another option that many utilize is the pattern lock, which permits the phone to be accessed only when the correct pattern is traced out on a three-by-three square. This intuitive and natural lock becomes a swift way to access a phone once the user becomes more familiar with it, and if all nine dots are used in the pattern, provides close to 400,000 possible access codes. Sadly, the pattern lock has a few flaws as well: many choose to use shapes that are easily guessed out of simplicity and convenience, and it's relatively easy for someone to merely watch one’s hand to deduce the pattern they’re using.

#3 PIN Number
Similar to a password, a PIN number is a relatively strong type of authentication; the typical 4-digit option has over 10 thousand potential combinations. While this could be very difficult to remember, an Android device can be secured by a 16-digit PIN, boosting the number of potential codes to 10 quadrillion. Still, there is a shortcoming to the PIN number: many individuals may succumb to the temptation of, again, making an oversimplified PIN number (like one's birthdate) that could potentially be guessed very easily.

#4 Fingerprint Scanner
This unlock method has swiftly become the popular method to access a mobile device, and for good reason: not only is it safe enough to be trustworthy, it’s also very quick. Still, like the other methods, the this one has its weaknesses. One flaw is the fingerprint scanner itself isn’t always positioned in the most convenient place on the phone. Another shortcoming: gloves make this method impossible to utilize.

#5 Facial Recognition/Iris Scanning/Intelligent Scan
It is probable that this will soon become the preferred method of authenticating your identity to access your mobile device. Nevertheless, in their current states, these methods simply aren't secure enough to safely authenticate financial tasks (like purchases) impeccably, although things are getting better as far as that goes.

#6 Smart Lock 
Many mobile devices now also provide security features that rely on alternative forms of authentication. On-body detection keeps the device unlocked whenever it is being carried, regardless of who is carrying it. A user can also teach a device to “trust” certain places, devices, and faces. Another option is to utilize the Google Assistant to unlock your phone simply by saying “Okay Google.” Still, these features are essentially for convenience, not for security.

Which Form is the Best?
The universally accepted school of thought is that, until face and iris scanning is more readily available and some of the wrinkles are fixed, a fingerprint scan with a PIN or password backup is the safest form of authentication to utilize. Nonetheless, any form of authentication measure is better than nothing, so you will want to make sure that you have one in place.

Give Macro Systems a call at 703-359-9211 about this or any other IT problems or questions.