6 Tips for Securing your Smartphone
If you own a phone, chances are you’ve received an annoying or potentially dangerous robocall. Robocalls are one of the most common ways scammers try to access your personal information or swindle you out of hundreds or thousands of dollars. But robocalls aren’t the only way that scammers try to access your sensitive data.
According to Pew Research Center, 81 percent of Americans now own a smartphone, making millions of people targets for all sorts of scams. To help you stay safe and protected, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile have created a short list of things you can do to protect your device and your data.
1. Lock your screen
A screen lock is the best way to protect your data if you lose your phone. It might feel like an inconvenience to enter a passcode every time you use your phone (especially when people look at their device an average of 52 times a day), but it’s far better than having to deal with the consequences of getting hacked. All smartphones offer an option to set up a passcode, whether that be with numbers, letters, a pattern, or even your face.
2. Use a password manager
Nowadays you can access just about everything from your smartphone—bank accounts, social media accounts, accounts you may have with certain retailers, and more. You’ve probably heard that it’s a bad idea to reuse the same password over and over again, but it can be difficult to remember all of them.
A password manager can be a great way to protect yourself, as it will help you create and store strong passwords. And many password managers can automatically fill in your login credentials and/or sync across all your devices, giving you quick and easy access no matter where you are or which device you’re using. If you’re interested in using a password manager, iMore has a list of the best apps for Apple devices and ComputerWorld has a list of the best Android apps.
3. Be careful about your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections
Using public Wi-Fi and leaving Bluetooth on is relatively low-risk, but it could potentially leave you open to hackers trying to access or control your device. Make sure you turn off your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when you’re not using those connections. And, set your device up so that it doesn’t automatically search for Wi-Fi and is “non-discoverable” to other Bluetooth devices. If you do want to access a public Wi-Fi network, use common sense. If you’re not 100 percent certain it’s safe, don’t do it.
4. Browse and download responsibly
Use your best judgement when browsing the internet and downloading apps to minimize the risk of inadvertently downloading malware. If you phone tells you that a website could be dangerous, listen to it and stay away. Similarly, only purchase and download apps from legitimate app stores like the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, as other apps may not be trustworthy.
5. Update your software and back up your device
Always update your device’s software when a new version is released. Most of the time these updates include software patches that boost security. Hackers are always looking for new software loopholes, so staying current is one of the best ways to protect your data.
While you’re at it, it’s recommended that you frequently back up your device so that if you lose it or break it, you don’t also lose all the important data and photos on your device.
6. If you lose your phone…
If you end up losing your device there are a few things you can do. First, your best bet is to try and locate your device either using Find My iPhone for Apple devices or Find my Device for Android devices. These services will help you pinpoint the current or last known location of your device and will play a sound so you have a better chance of finding it.
If you know you won’t be able to locate your device, you’ll probably want to erase or wipe all the data from it. Using those same two apps mentioned above, you can erase all the data on your device and restore it to factory settings from wherever you are. Just make sure you have all your data backed up somewhere else.
In the end, it’s better to be more prepared than not. Use these tips, stay cautious and use your best judgement when using your device to stay safe.
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Damon Racing Left To Rue What Might Have Been At The Glen
Watkins Glen, NY - September 9, 2019 - Round 10 of the 2019 Trans Am Championship presented by Pirelli TA2 Class at Watkins Glen was always going to be challenging and so it proved to be for Tom Sheehan in the No. 97 LTK Insulation Technologies Ford Mustang when an appherant “bad bounce” ended the charge forward.
Issues plagued the Damon Racing team through the first test to the last day, From the start of testing session at the legendary upstate New York former Formula One Grand Prix circuit. Sheehan only managed P11 in the official practice session.
After untimely power steering failure in qualifying with a time of 1:53:554 for P13 on the grid, the team’s sights were set firmly on an assault on the top ten .The No. 97 made a great start, but the cruelest twist of fate disabled the LTK Mustang early in the race and gave absolutely no option but to retire after completing 11 laps.
"The Glen was a cornucopia of racing cruelty and lows," stated Sheehan after the race. "I am proud of the effort and the heart of the crew, who worked super hard. We battled back through some untimely adversity. I had a great car to race had a terrific start but the ugly monkey just spoiled our day."
Of the freak incident that led to the early finish he added, "It was possibly the most bizarre DNF I have experienced in a long career. Our day was ended by cooling ductwork disconnected from its mounting points under the car. Track debris must have shattered the NACA duct housing. The result was 12 feet of slinky, cooling ducts, unraveling about 150 feet of wire wrapped our driveshaft. The wire finally bound our drivetrain to the point it overpowered the drive shaft. The result is painful but out of my hands. I couldn’t have imagined that scenario ever playing out. Thanks to everyone who came out the TA2 field put on a great show. We get another crack at racing next at VIR."
The season heads towards the finale with three events remaining in 2019.
Good news this week for Trans Am fans was the announcement that Trans Am returns to our screens September 15 at 5:00 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network. As Tom said, next up on the track for the LTK Insulation Technologies Ford Mustang is a trip to the Virginia International Raceway September 20 - 22.
For live timing and scoring, event photos and post-race recaps visit GoTransAm.com. For live race updates follow @GoTransAm on Twitter.
Keep up with Trans Am driver Tom Sheehan on social media – Facebook page is Damon Racing; Instagram is TomSheehanTA97 and Twitter give us a follow @TomTA2_97.
For more information on LTK Insulation Technologies please visit the website online at https://ltkinsulationtechnologies.com/.
Putting LTK insulation jackets & covers to work on your project saves your firm real money and time. The LTK Insulation products are so fast and easy. Installation is as fast as identification. Our carefully designed products line allows; fast, sure fit, 100% clean, no tool installation. Product designed for; balance valves, control valves, flex hoses, in line specialties, couplings, quick connects, unions, zone pumps. Your imagination is the only limit….GO LTK!
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Dear Dave,
My two brothers-in-law and I have been thinking about going into business together as a side project in the real estate world. One of them is an architect and licensed general contractor, one has a successful painting business, and I’m a chief financial officer with a CPA background. Plus, I had a lot of construction experience as a young man. I know you’re not a big fan of business partnerships, but how do you feel about a family business like this?
Dan
Dear Dan,
Going into business with family isn’t my big concern here. I’ve said many times that partnerships are the only ships that won’t sail, and I’m a firm believer in that philosophy. I would encourage you guys to set up a situation where one of you is the owner, then figure out a plan where the other guys get paid off the bottom line—as if they were owners. Trust me, anything with three heads is going to end up being a monster at some point.
Here’s the thing about family businesses. When everyone understands their role and has the best interest of the company in mind, family businesses can be a lot more fun and more successful than non-family businesses. Statistics show the average family business lasts 60 years, while the average publicly-traded company lasts about 15 years.
So, there’s nothing inherently wrong with the family part of the equation. It’s the partnership aspect I’d stay away from.
—Dave
(Renter’s insurance?)
Word count: 243
Dear Dave,
We just helped move our son into a cheap, off-campus apartment a few blocks from where he is attending college. We signed the agreement, and are paying the rent, because he makes very good grades. Do you think renter’s insurance is a smart buy? It’s less than $12 a month, but the minimum coverage I can get is $15,000, and he probably has less than $1,000 worth of belongings there.
Kevin
Dear Kevin,
I’d get renter’s insurance. My guess is it also comes with five or six figures in personal liability coverage, as well. That’s in case he’s out on the patio with his buddies, someone slips and falls, and they decide to sue because daddy’s on the lease.
In a case like this, because there’s so little to start with, it’s not theft or fire taking the contents of the apartment that you’re worried about. It’s the liability portion of the coverage that makes it worth every penny of what you’d be paying. That alone makes it worth $10 to $12 a month just to make sure a slip-and-fall doesn’t mess with your life!
—Dave
* Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 16 million listeners each week on 600 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey.com and on Twitter at @DaveRamsey.
