10 best ways to secure your smartphone

Be especially careful with alert messages on different websites.
Caution with jailbreak and install ROMs from unknown sources is also important.
Encrypt phone content and add additional terminal block is essential.
Avoid free wifi networks, verify file storage in the cloud, etc.


1. Install apps from the official stores. 
Android, iOS and Windows Phone operating systems have their own app stores. In general, these stores have different mechanisms to control those Apps that include malware or endanger user privacy. Sometimes they have distributed malicious applications on these stores, but it is a minority and always has alerted users.

2. Watch out for alert messages on web pages.
Android users should note that the characteristics of the operating system, most attacks are directed to this platform by deception and messages. For this reason, it is important not to ignore advertisements in the form of popups or banners on different websites where, for example, the user is alerted that your mobile phone is infected and you have to install an .apk file extension. This is the format of Android applications. In doing so, the user unknowingly installed a malicious application that takes control of your machine.

3. Use caution with jailbreak and install ROMs from unknown sources.
Unlocking the terminal, a process known as "jailbreaking" is only recommended for users who know what they are doing, as their indiscriminate use and install ROMS, or special versions of the operating system from unknown sources, may endanger the unknown user safety that the intentions of the developers.

4. Lock the phone with PIN.
Block with some kind of security measure mobile phone is essential for all users. This allows in case someone is done with the phone can not access user data. Among the unlock screen with a pattern or PIN, insurance for blocking access to phone via a PIN number. In general, this number is four digits, but can be made longer on iPhone. Just have to go to 'Settings> General> Passcode Lock "and disable the' single code 'option.

5. Encrypt phone content.
To give greater protection to the phone, you should encrypt their content. Thus, unauthorized access to the terminal in the case of connecting the phone to a public wifi or by connecting to a computer, among other situations access is prevented. The latest versions of both iOS and Android have mechanisms to encrypt user data in an option enabled by default. In the case of using SD cards or previous versions of Android, you can encrypt from the security section of the general settings.

6. Verification in two steps of files hosted on the cloud.
The synchronization of files in the cloud gives many benefits to users, allowing access data from any device, anywhere. However, to provide greater protection to these data, it is important to improve the security of access to data. For DropBox or iCloud, you should turn in the General Options verification in two steps. Thus, if someone is done with the user password, you must include a code sent by SMS to the terminal.

7. Enable 'Locate the terminal'.
Both iOS and Android have an option to locate the mobile phone in case of loss or theft. This tool allows you to easily locate a misplaced terminal if it is connected to the Internet and has enabled GPS. Thus, shown on a map the approximate location where you are. Other interesting options are used to trigger an alarm on the phone or make a remote device wipe. In iOS, this turned into 'Settings> iCloud> Find My iPhone'. Meanwhile, in Android, you have to access 'Settings> Security> Enable Device Manager'. In the case of not having it installed, localization tool can be downloaded from Google Play.

8. Update the software.
As in personal computers, one of the best ways to minimize security risks is to keep you updated applications and the operating system to the latest version. Most distributed malware takes advantage of unresolved vulnerabilities or some old versions available.

9. Beware of free wifi networks.
One of the most common risks to which users are exposed is the use of open wifi networks or others in public spaces. Connect to an unknown wifi puts the security and privacy of the device in danger, because all traffic that does not go encryption applications can be captured by a third party, including passwords, online banking credentials or personal messages. It is advisable to use a VPN service because encrypts all user traffic when accessing Internet.

10. Backing.
Backups of data from the mobile phone can retrieve its contents in case of any problem. In iOS, these copies can be automatically performed by iCloud or iTunes. In Android, users have different options for making backups, since not all phones with Google's operating system have by default this option