You may not realize it, but your smartphone – the little computer you carry in your pocket – could be just as susceptible to viruses as your PC or laptop. The same applies to mobile devices like tablets or an iPod. They may not be as widespread, but malware and viruses can still hit your portable devices.
To keep your smartphone or tablet secure, treat it the same way you would a desktop or laptop. Start by downloading an anti-virus app, and run the program on a regular basis to prevent any possible attacks.
On a computer, you want to avoid clicking mysterious links that hit your email or show up on a social networking site. That same rule applies to anything you find on your phone. If a link shows up on your smartphone, just send the message to your “Junk” or “Spam” pile. Do not click the link.
You probably have several smartphone apps, maybe even one for your bank, which allows you to get up-to-date account balances or perhaps pay your bills. Some apps have caused phone problems, so make sure your institution’s app is the official one. In most cases, you should be able to download the program for free; if you have to pay a fee, think twice about hitting the “Download” button.