With greater readability than a smartphone, but more compact and lightweight than a laptop, tablets have become an increasingly common device in many people’s daily lives. However, just like your laptop, desktop, or smartphone, your tablet can become a gold mine for criminals who are interested in your personal and financial information. Here are 3 simple steps you can take to enhance your device’s online security.
While tablets are somewhat less likely to be physically snatched or stolen than a smartphone, you shouldn’t neglect implementing protections for any device that contains private, sensitive information. Whether you use your tablet to watch movies and play games or utilize it for work, shopping, banking and everything else you do on a normal computer, you need to ensure you’re kept safe.
Use Security and Anti-Virus Software
Though far less common on iOS than on Android, viruses and malicious software designed specifically to attack tablets are out there. Some tablets come with pre-installed security software, but upping the security of your device by also installing anti-virus software is always a good idea. Be careful what you download even from official store fronts though, sticking with known names, such as AVAST, Norton, and McAfee Antivirus and Security is unlikely to do harm. Do your research and figure out which specific security provider offers features you like best, but in general, those that have high ratings and thousands of users will provide the most up-to-date features and a good amount of security.
Implement Lock Screen Security and Auto Lock
If you have any sensitive information stored in your tablet at all, it is definitely not a good idea to just leave it lying around unlocked for any person to access. Make sure you set up a decent lock screen security method of your choice.
While it’s often the default, swipe doesn’t do much as a security mechanism. All the other options provide a range of low to high levels of security. So, whether you choose a passcode, password, PIN, or other variations like pattern or face and voice recognition, implementing a decent form of lock screen security can protect your tablet from prying eyes. Should your tablet get stolen, having a lock screen implemented can also slow down or prevent the thief from accessing the information inside.
After setting up your password and other security mechanisms, turning on your auto lock function is also a good idea. Set the time period for up to 3 to 5 minutes (a short amount of time is best). This will not only save you some battery life, but reduces the window of opportunity for someone to snoop through your tablet while it’s unlocked.
Keep Your Tablet Updated
One of the ways cybercriminals try to gain access to the information in your tablet is through misusing security loopholes and other openings.
All updates to your tablet software (as well as any critical ones for installed apps) should be downloaded and installed as soon as they come out. These updates often contain important fixes that close bugs or security vulnerabilities as they are discovered, and thus are critical to protecting your tablet from being exploited.
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