5 Ways That Are Introduced to Secure Your Smartphone
Dear Readers.,
When it comes to device security, the learning never stops. We take that extra mile just to protect the device with cases and screen protectors and other ways. But that’s not it. We have travelled a long way and learnt how sensitive data is when it comes to information stored in smartphones alone. Recent Malaysian telco massive online breach of data involving 46 million mobile phone users is not just a wakeup call, but needs our attention to device security. I know, the rapid evolving of technologies is not just boon to the smartphone users, but also bane with its own share of risks it poses to “smart” phone users.
But how secure is your smartphone? What's your plan against snoopers and hackers? I hope you're using some kind of security system on your device to protect your privacy.
Imagine, your device data is breached and the burglar knows who your contacts and friends are. He has clear information of your lives through photos and videos you have. He also knows where you've been and where you're headed, your browsing habits, your financial transactions, and your shopping habits. Simply put, he has all the info for identity / Equifax Hack.
Currently, there are several ways to lock and unlock our phones - face scans, thumbprints, irises, passcodes, patterns, and more. Which ones are more secure than the others? And which one should you use? Read on and let's tackle each one.
PIN / Passcode is the most common security smartphone method around. It ranges from the standard 4-digit numerical code to complex multi-character passwords. It's always a choice between convenience and security.
You can program a simple 4-digit PIN, which is easier to hack than, say, a 37-character alphanumeric password, but you can unlock your phone quicker with it. The trick with passcodes is to make them a bit longer so they can thwart would-be snoops - but it's also easy for you to remember. The Lock Screen will show you the numeric keypad when it asks for your passcode. For ultimate safety, I recommend a password that's a combination of letters, numbers and symbols.
Keep in mind that even with the newer biometric systems like fingerprint scanners, facial recognition and iris scanners, your smartphone's passcode is still your final line of defense, so make it as strong as possible without getting too cumbersome.
An Android phone owner typically use Pattern Lock system instead of a PIN code or password to secure it. It's the popular system where you draw a pre-selected pattern on a grid of dots to unlock your phone. The reason this system is popular is due to its convenience and ease of use. It's simply a quicker way to unlock your phone. However, studies have shown that pattern unlocking is very insecure and you should stay away from using it. Two out of three observers from six feet or less away can recreate the pattern after only seeing it once. That number jumps to an 80 percent success rate after seeing the pattern entered twice. You must turn off the "feedback" lines that show your finger's path as you enter the pattern to make it a little more protected.
The security of fingerprint biometric systems is critical since they're currently being used for unlocking phones, app authentications and for making payments. Although security researchers have managed to lift someone's fingerprint and produce latex copies to fool Touch ID, it's an extremely technical process that the average user such as us shouldn't worry about.
With that said, fingerprint scanners are still better security systems than passcodes or pattern unlocks.
Face ID senses depth and it tracks faces in 3-D. Crammed within the small upper notch of the device display are multiple sensors - an infrared camera, a dot projector and a flood illuminator used for facial depth scanning. These sensors work together to flood your face with 30,000 invisible dots that track your face in 3-D then create a pattern that's stored securely and entrypted in the device. Each time you look at the phone, the system then compares the facial pattern to match what it sees.
Iris scanner is secure as ever, more secure than fingerprint scanning or 2-D facial recognition. That's because patterns in your irises are unique to you and are virtually impossible to replicate, meaning iris authentication is one of the safest ways to keep your phone locked. I hope this feature will be avaliable on Mi devices in the future.
How do you like these methods? Which one are you using? What do you think will be the trend of smartphone security in the future?
1.Passcode
2.Pattern unlock
3.Fingerprint
4.Face ID
5.Iris scan
6.None of them
When it comes to device security, the learning never stops. We take that extra mile just to protect the device with cases and screen protectors and other ways. But that’s not it. We have travelled a long way and learnt how sensitive data is when it comes to information stored in smartphones alone. Recent Malaysian telco massive online breach of data involving 46 million mobile phone users is not just a wakeup call, but needs our attention to device security. I know, the rapid evolving of technologies is not just boon to the smartphone users, but also bane with its own share of risks it poses to “smart” phone users.
But how secure is your smartphone? What's your plan against snoopers and hackers? I hope you're using some kind of security system on your device to protect your privacy.
Imagine, your device data is breached and the burglar knows who your contacts and friends are. He has clear information of your lives through photos and videos you have. He also knows where you've been and where you're headed, your browsing habits, your financial transactions, and your shopping habits. Simply put, he has all the info for identity / Equifax Hack.
Currently, there are several ways to lock and unlock our phones - face scans, thumbprints, irises, passcodes, patterns, and more. Which ones are more secure than the others? And which one should you use? Read on and let's tackle each one.
PIN / Passcode is the most common security smartphone method around. It ranges from the standard 4-digit numerical code to complex multi-character passwords. It's always a choice between convenience and security.
You can program a simple 4-digit PIN, which is easier to hack than, say, a 37-character alphanumeric password, but you can unlock your phone quicker with it. The trick with passcodes is to make them a bit longer so they can thwart would-be snoops - but it's also easy for you to remember. The Lock Screen will show you the numeric keypad when it asks for your passcode. For ultimate safety, I recommend a password that's a combination of letters, numbers and symbols.
Keep in mind that even with the newer biometric systems like fingerprint scanners, facial recognition and iris scanners, your smartphone's passcode is still your final line of defense, so make it as strong as possible without getting too cumbersome.
An Android phone owner typically use Pattern Lock system instead of a PIN code or password to secure it. It's the popular system where you draw a pre-selected pattern on a grid of dots to unlock your phone. The reason this system is popular is due to its convenience and ease of use. It's simply a quicker way to unlock your phone. However, studies have shown that pattern unlocking is very insecure and you should stay away from using it. Two out of three observers from six feet or less away can recreate the pattern after only seeing it once. That number jumps to an 80 percent success rate after seeing the pattern entered twice. You must turn off the "feedback" lines that show your finger's path as you enter the pattern to make it a little more protected.
The security of fingerprint biometric systems is critical since they're currently being used for unlocking phones, app authentications and for making payments. Although security researchers have managed to lift someone's fingerprint and produce latex copies to fool Touch ID, it's an extremely technical process that the average user such as us shouldn't worry about.
With that said, fingerprint scanners are still better security systems than passcodes or pattern unlocks.
Face ID senses depth and it tracks faces in 3-D. Crammed within the small upper notch of the device display are multiple sensors - an infrared camera, a dot projector and a flood illuminator used for facial depth scanning. These sensors work together to flood your face with 30,000 invisible dots that track your face in 3-D then create a pattern that's stored securely and entrypted in the device. Each time you look at the phone, the system then compares the facial pattern to match what it sees.
Iris scanner is secure as ever, more secure than fingerprint scanning or 2-D facial recognition. That's because patterns in your irises are unique to you and are virtually impossible to replicate, meaning iris authentication is one of the safest ways to keep your phone locked. I hope this feature will be avaliable on Mi devices in the future.
How do you like these methods? Which one are you using? What do you think will be the trend of smartphone security in the future?
1.Passcode
2.Pattern unlock
3.Fingerprint
4.Face ID
5.Iris scan
6.None of them
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