How to Stay Safe with Your Mobile Devices in Public

Your smartphone, laptop, or tablet is like a digital vault, carrying personal photos, financial information, and access to social media and bank accounts. Protecting it in public can prevent data theft, hacking, and physical loss

Steps to Keep Your Mobile Devices Safe in Public

Here’s a quick guide to keep your device secure on the go, with some examples to show why these tips matter.

1. Lock Your Device

An unlocked device is like an open book for anyone who picks it up. Protecting your device with a secure lock is the first line of defense in safeguarding your personal information and preventing unauthorized access.

• Enable Auto-Lock: Set your device to lock after a short period, like 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Use a Strong Lock Method: Avoid easy PINs like "1234"; go for longer PINs or biometric options. For more information check our article about Screen Lock .

2. Use Biometrics

Biometric security, like fingerprint and facial recognition, provides a unique and secure way to protect your device, as only you can unlock it. Biometrics are much harder for someone else to replicate, making them more secure than traditional passwords or PINs.

• Fingerprint and Face Scans: These options are unique to you, making unauthorized access difficult.

3. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Tasks

Hackers often use public and open Wi-Fi  to intercept data. For example in some cases thieves can intercept unsecure hotel Wi-Fi to monitor guest's internet communication and launch man-in-the-middle-attacks .

• Use Mobile Data or Personal Hotspot: When doing sensitive tasks like banking, use your data connection.
• Turn Off Auto-Connect: This avoids accidental connections to potentially risky networks.
• Consider a VPN: A VPN encrypts your data, making it harder to intercept.

4. Disable Bluetooth When Not Needed

Leaving Bluetooth  on in public is risky. Hackers can exploit Bluetooth  connections in public places, such as cafés, to access nearby devices and compromise private data. Keeping Bluetooth active and discoverable in public can expose your device to unauthorized access.

• Turn Off Bluetooth: Only turn it on when needed and avoid pairing in public.

5. Be Mindful of Your Surroundings

In crowded places, "shoulder surfing" is common. It is described as when someone watches over your shoulder to see sensitive information you're entering. A thief in an airport, for instance, saw a passenger enter their passcode, then snatched the phone minutes later.

• Use a Privacy Screen: It limits viewing angles so others can’t easily see your screen.
• Keep an Eye on Your Device: Don’t leave it unattended, even for a brief moment—like when you’re grabbing a coffee or stepping away to use the restroom.

6. Enable Remote Tracking and Wipe Options

If your device is lost or stolen, tracking and remote wipe features can protect your data. In multiple cases travelers retrieved their phone using “Find My Device” after it was stolen at an airport.

• Enable Tracking: Most devices have built-in tracking, like Find My iPhone or Find My Device.
• Remote Wipe: If recovery isn’t possible, you can erase data remotely to protect your privacy.