Mobile tips

• ALWAYS use the phone lock feature. Ensure entry is required when switching on and after 15 minutes of non-use. Ensure the PIN is not easy to guess (111, 1234, 9876 etc).
• ALWAYS ensure Bluetooth is switched off. If it must be on for a headset or local file transfer then ensure it is NOT in Discoverable mode.
• NEVER open a picture message, follow a WAP link or call a number in a message unless you know who sent it.
• NEVER accept pairing with another device (phone, computer) over Bluetooth unless you know who it is and why the pairing is needed.
• NEVER install an application on your phone unless you trust it. Consider only loading applications that have been through a recognised application signing scheme such as JavaVerified, Mobile2Market, SymbianSigned, TrueBrew.
• Monitor your bill and your phone and ensure applications you may have loaded are not connecting without notification or are not connecting to premium rate numbers
• Be cautious of "social engineering" when or if you receive a message saying "Emergency patch", "Urgent update", "Security patch" or similar unless you know who these have come from and why. If in doubt call the purported source.
• Advise your mobile operator immediately your phone is stolen to prevent it from being used to make calls. (It can always be re-activated if you find it really slipped down the back of the arm chair!).
• Register your mobile with Immobilise (www.immobilise.com). This will enable immediate deactivation of the hardware if stolen. Whilst blocking the SIM via the operator (see above) will prevent calls the thief can still use their own SIM to gain access to the phone, your contacts and other sensitive data. Immobilise will prevent this. You will need your IMEI, which can be found on the back of the phone under the battery or by entering *#06# on the phone.
• Be careful of diverting your phone when you are travelling abroad, you pay for the divert leg and this can seriously "damage your wealth" if you receive a lot of calls.

Useful links:

GSMA: Security Advice for Mobile Phone Users

Let us know if these tips have been useful or if there are other problem areas you would like us to cover on this page or other pages on the site.

Covering: North Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire including Chippenham, Malmesbury, Tetbury, Cirencester and Swindon