Precautions for Mobile Users

Using smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices for activities such as banking can be very convenient.  However, it is important to take some basic precautions to keep your information secure. Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Protect your device using the built-in password function. Most devices can be configured to auto-erase themselves after a certain number of incorrect password guesses.
• If you use a mobile device for banking and it becomes lost or stolen, contact your financial institutions and/or change your online passwords immediately.
• Obtain your apps, especially your banking and financial apps, only from the official manufacturers’ app stores.  The official app stores put apps through a review process and screen for malware.  Alternative app stores may not do so and are a common source of mobile malware.
• Note that SESLOC only publishes its mobile banking app to the Apple App Store and Google Play.  If you find something claiming to be our app anywhere else, it is likely fraudulent.
• Use caution with unsecured or untrusted Wi-Fi networks.  For confidential tasks like online banking, it is best to use a trusted, secure WiFi network rather than a public network found at the local coffee shop.
• Always keep your mobile device updated with the latest operating system and security updates.