These commonsense suggestions can help secure you and your data, from using a security software to using a pin to lock your smartphone.

The following eight suggestions will help you make your smartphone and the data you save on it more secure:

1. Refrain from disclosing private information

Your bank may not be the source of the SMS message. If a company asks for your account information via text or email, get in touch with them personally to verify the request. This also applies to tapping links in unwanted SMS or emails.

2. Lock your phone with a pattern, password, or pin.

This is simple to set up. For instructions, go to your Location & Security Settings on the majority of Android devices. These features are available to iOS users in the General settings.

3. Only download applications from reliable shops.

Use sites like Google PlayTM if you’re looking for a new game or anything more useful. Read the app’s privacy statement to find out precisely which phone functionalities it will have access to when you download it, and be sure to look for ratings and reviews if any are available.

4. Make a data backup.

This is more about safeguarding and recovering your data in the event of an emergency. You can save your contacts, music, photos, videos, and documents in the cloud with Verizon Cloud.

5. Update your programs and operating system.

Both of them usually get regular upgrades that provide enhanced security in addition to new functionality.

6. After making a payment, log off of websites.

Once your transactions are finished, log off of any websites you use to bank or shop on your smartphone. Additional advice includes avoiding purchases when using public Wi-Fi and not keeping your usernames and passwords on your phone.

7. When not in use, turn off Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi.

Although you consider them to be methods of connecting to anything, criminals may use them to get access to your device and contents.

8. Guard your financial investment

It might cause a lot of worry to lose your smartphone. 200,000 gadgets are misplaced, stolen, or broken every day. The hefty out-of-contract cost of replacing a misplaced smartphone with a comparable brand and model may surprise you.

Take a look at Verizon Mobile Protect to avoid this. If your item is lost, stolen, damaged, or has a mechanical or electrical flaw after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired, you will get a replacement as soon as the following day.

Are you trying to find out more about gadgets that have been stolen, lost, or broken? For further information, see Verizon’s Insurance and Repair page.

The material above is given only for informational reasons. Any information presented here might change at any time. Any direct or indirect losses resulting from or connected to the use or reliance on the aforementioned material are not Verizon’s responsibility.