The Best Apps for Securing Your Phone

With our lives becoming more tech-dependent, we’re increasingly drawn to the idea of having one device to rule them all. Our phones are becoming indispensable tools for everything. From ordering lunch to organizing meetings and chatting with friends or learning a new skill, we depend on our phones for practically everything Therefore, securing your phone is essential for protecting your overall online privacy and security.

⚠️ Most Common Online Risks

Many security risks lurk in the internet’s dark corners, but some pose a more significant threat to phone users than others. For instance, some of the greatest security threats are malicious apps that can steal your data or infect your device with malware. Other significant threats are unsecured public WiFi controlled by hackers. These networks are created to capture your data and if you’ve got poor password habits, these hackers can gain access to your personal information and cause major security breaches.

Luckily, having the right tools and a flexible security framework can help you avoid these cybersecurity risks.

Here are some of the most useful apps to help you protect your phone.

1. Password manager

Statistics show that 53% of people rely on their memory to handle passwords. Considering that we often forget what we ate for breakfast the same day, trying to learn your passwords by heart may not be the safest idea. Luckily, password managers can help you manage your credentials more efficiently. Most of them have generating options, meaning that they can create an infinite number of highly secure passwords for each of your accounts. Your password manager will then store your credentials in a digital vault and encrypt all your data to keep it away from the prying eyes of cybercriminals.

2. VPN

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are becoming synonymous with online security. They can help you protect your online identity by hiding your actual IP address and assigning you a new, virtual one. VPNs can encrypt your data in traffic and consequentially help you avoid ISP and government tracking. Most VPNs have apps designed for different devices and operating systems. For instance, the ExpressVPN app for mobile devices is straightforward to install and use, and it automatically chooses the best features for you based on your network and settings.

3. Encrypted messenger

Pew Research reported that an adult American receives an average of 50 texts per day. If you don’t adequately protect your credentials, your phone could quickly turn into a source of data leakage. To protect your privacy and increase security, replace your unprotected messenger apps with encrypted ones. Encrypted messenger apps like Signal can scramble your data and make it unusable for any unauthorized third party that tries to tamper with it.

4. Antivirus Software

Even though many treat their antimalware software as an afterthought, they’re cybersecurity pioneers that are even more important than they were a few years ago. What’s more alarming, only half of all mobile devices in the U.S. are protected by antimalware. Having reliable antimalware will help you detect risks, prevent attacks, and protect your privacy. However, like all other software, antivirus needs regular updates to work correctly. The safest option is to preset automatic updates, so you won’t miss any security updates and patches that can keep your phone safe.

Conclusion

If you’re considering updating your cybersecurity strategy, bear in mind that all tools and methods you choose have to fit into your plan and have their distinctive roles. Start small with one of two apps from our list, implement them into your framework, and build up from there. Also, don’t forget to regularly update your software and assess which apps and tools no longer serve their purpose. Adding new apps on top of those you already don’t use can harm your security and privacy.