Mobile Security | Keep Your Mobile Data Safe

Best practices to help protect your mobile device

1. Use Passwords, Locks and More

• Always password-protect your mobile device, use the auto-lock security feature, and activate the encryption feature if one exists.
• When creating a password, choose one that's easy for you to remember but will be difficult for others to guess. And make sure your auto-lock feature is turned on so it will kick in after a couple of minutes. That helps ensure no one will be able to use the phone or tablet without knowing your password. Also, don't share your password with anyone or tape it to your mobile device.
• Many devices can be set so that if the wrong password is entered a certain number of times in a row, the device automatically deletes all the stored information. But don't worry — you should be able to retrieve your data from your computer if you've been synchronizing the two devices. 
• To encourage the return of a lost device, consider writing or engraving your name and contact information — but not your password — on its back with the promise of a reward. Several applications for cell phones let you offer a reward for the return of a lost phone.
• Enable biometric authentication, such as Touch ID or Face ID, to help prevent unauthorized access to your account. Learn how with our Mobile banking face or touch ID demos. 

2. Back It Up

• You should store only the information you think you'll need immediate and frequent access to in your mobile device. Remember, syncing your device to Outlook or another email application may automatically synchronize any notes in your contacts database, so pay special attention to what you have in those fields. Take care not to store user names and passwords in the note fields.
• Also make sure you have a separate record of the data, including all account numbers, passwords, phone numbers, addresses and any other sensitive information, as well as the device's make, model and serial number. Then, if your gadget is lost or stolen and you want to change your passwords quickly, you'll have the information you need at your fingertips.

3. Beware Fraudulent and Out-of-Market Apps

Downloading apps outside of trusted sources, or taking the steps to jailbreak or root your device can expose your device to substantial corruptions, such as viruses or malware. Once harmful software is on your device, it can be used to steal your personal information without your knowledge.

• Never jailbreak or root your device or use a jailbroken or rooted device to access sensitive information; to protect your financial information, Banner blocks these devices from accessing the Banner Bank Mobile Banking app.
• To access your accounts, your device will need to be restored to factory settings to ensure the manufacturers intended security layers are in place. You may need to contact your mobile service provider to verify factory settings and to assist with restoration. 
• Only download apps from official app stores for your device ― do not download apps from unknown or unofficial sources.
• Review app permissions on any new app you download and current apps on your phone and consider deleting any with excessive permissions.
• Keep apps up-to-date by accepting updates as they are released.
• Use multi-factor authentication for your apps when possible and ensure you have strong usernames and passwords.

4. Pay Special Attention to Your Tablet

• Tablets are just as capable as a phone — if not more so — of doing real work. While a phoneless tablet may not contain your cellular directory, remember that it will have everything else: from web bookmarks to all your apps complete with account information. You may have banking, investing or online shopping apps on your tablet, which require the same security foresight as if they were on your cell phone.
• Its larger size makes a tablet a more visible target for would-be thieves and because they are fully usable even without a cell phone plan, they are easier to resell on the black market. Use passwords, locks, and other security features on your tablet as you would a cell phone.
• Only download apps from official app stores, keep apps up to date, and never jailbreak or root your device.

If your mobile devices are lost or stolen:

• Call your provider to report the theft.
• File a police report (if you know it's been stolen).
• Place fraud alerts on your credit reports.
• Notify anyone whose contact or other information is stored in the phone.
• Consider using a remote wipe capability (if available) to prevent someone accessing your personal information. This feature gives you the ability to send a command to your device that will delete your data.