Protect mobile devices as best as possible

Crafts 4.0: Sensitive data is particularly vulnerable on smartphones and tablets. Only with the right security measures can all information remain protected – from hackers, thieves, and our own forgetfulness.

This article is part of the special feature on digital craftsmanship.

Smartphones and tablets are extremely attractive to criminals because no other type of device offers so many possibilities . Besides banking , shopping , and contactless payments, some mobile devices also allow users to unlock doors and windows in smart homes – or even start vehicles . In the future, driver's licenses and ID cards will also be able to be stored digitally in apps.

Tradespeople, especially those working in the field, should therefore protect their devices as best as possible . Smartphones and tablets are not only exposed to the usual internet threats, but can also be stolen or left behind at customer sites. Unprotected devices can then be misused by third parties , for example, by reading data or making online shopping sprees with stolen credit cards. Criminals have it particularly easy when devices lack access restrictions or encryption . Some devices even store passwords for online shops or banks unprotected.

Do not disable security

Although most smartphone users in Germany now employ basic security measures, some devices are easily accessible : According to a representative Bitkom study from 2023 , 12 percent of all smartphone owners forgo a screen lock . Furthermore, 18 percent lack SIM card protection , which automatically locks the device when the SIM card is changed. One in three has even deactivated the location tracking function , which allows the user to determine the location of their smartphone or tablet if it is lost.

Viruses and Trojans often have an easy time of it: In the summer of 2023, Stiftung Warentest tested various security apps and found that Google Play Protect and the phishing protection of the standard browser Google Chrome offered only inadequate protection . The best result was achieved by a free app: "Intercept X for Mobile" from Sophos . Good news for Apple users : Devices with iOS are inherently much more secure , making virus scanners unnecessary. Nevertheless, additional apps can be useful to further increase security in other areas.

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Criminals have it particularly easy when devices have neither access locks nor encryption.

Observe the requirements of the GDPR

To comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), tradespeople should ensure from the outset that personal data on company devices is stored in such a way that apps cannot access it without permission . A private or encrypted storage area , which can be created using special apps , is recommended for this purpose . Furthermore, tradespeople should always keep an eye on their own smartphones and tablets to prevent unauthorized access. If a device is lost or stolen despite all precautions , smartphones can be located via GPS using icloud.com or android.com/find , and the data can also be wiped . These functions simply need to be activated beforehand in the device's settings.

Risk: Public Wi-Fi hotspots

Public Wi-Fi hotspots, such as those found in cafes, city centers, or airports , pose a significant security risk to all mobile devices. Hackers can easily steal data by simply intercepting information – for example, usernames and passwords, credit card details, or emails . The best countermeasure in this case is access via a virtual private network (VPN) , which reliably encrypts data.

Criminals can also read data unnoticed or even install malware if the smartphone is connected to a public USB port.

Public USB ports for charging mobile devices pose a similarly significant risk . Criminals can use them to steal data from devices or even install malware. Therefore, tradespeople should only charge their smartphones and tablets at trusted ports . You can also configure your smartphone or tablet settings to prevent data transfer via the USB port. However, the safest charging solution is always your own power adapter or a power bank.

Always follow safety rules

Adhering to a few basic rules and equipping mobile devices with the most important security solutions and functions (see checklist) will achieve a high level of data security on smartphones and tablets . To ensure all employees have the same level of knowledge, the entire team should be regularly trained on potential threats.

Checklist: More security for smartphones and tablets

basic protection
Screen lock: All devices should go into sleep mode after at most one minute of inactivity.

Access control: Secure access to each device with biometric data, strong passwords, or patterns. When using patterns, ensure that no telltale smudges are left on the display.

SIM protection: Activate PIN verification for your SIM card.

Security apps: Install and activate a well-tested virus scanner (unnecessary on iOS) and phishing protection on all devices.

Updates: Always keep your operating system and apps up to date.

Apps: Only download applications from an official app store.

Data security
Data backups: Back up your data regularly to hard drives or in the cloud.

Encryption: Encrypt the data on your device.

Access rights: Check the permissions of installed apps.

Never click on links in unsolicited emails or emails from unknown senders. Raise your employees' awareness of data security and data protection issues.

Device transfer
Data deletion: Before selling, disposing of, or repairing a device, format all storage devices and remove SIM and memory cards. The safest way is to reset the device to factory settings.

Privacy
Camera: Cover the camera to prevent unauthorized recordings by apps or malware.

Network Security
Hotspots: Only use public hotspots with a VPN and ensure that the connection is encrypted (https).

Wireless interfaces: Turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC when you do not need these features.

Charging: Use the included power adapter or your own power bank to charge your devices. For unfamiliar USB ports, a data blocking adapter is recommended; this is plugged in between the charging port and the device (price: from approx. €6).

Physical security
Access protection: Never leave your devices unattended.

Theft protection: Activate location tracking in your device settings so that you can locate it in case of loss or remotely lock or delete data.

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