Mobile Phone Security

Your phone holds your banking, email, photos, and passwords — making it one of the highest-value targets for attackers. These six steps protect your iPhone or Android in under an hour.

Essential

Screen Lock

Set a PIN, password, or biometric lock so no one can access your phone if it is lost or stolen.

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Essential

OS Updates

Keep your iPhone or Android up to date so security patches are installed as soon as they are released.

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Essential

App Store Safety

Only download apps from the Apple App Store or Google Play to avoid malware from unofficial sources.

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Enhanced

App Permissions

Check which apps have access to your location, camera, and microphone — and remove what is not needed.

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Enhanced

Auto-Lock

Set your phone to lock itself after 30 seconds so it is always protected when you put it down.

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Enhanced

Public Wi-Fi

Avoid banking and sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi — and know when to switch to mobile data instead.

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Choose your platform

iPhone Security Guide

Step-by-step iOS instructions

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Android Security Guide

Step-by-step Android instructions

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Also relevant for mobile users

Set up remote wipe on your devices

Erase your phone data remotely if it is ever lost or stolen.

Switch to an authenticator app

Replace SMS codes with an authenticator app — more secure and works on your phone.

Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi

Encrypt your phone connection whenever you are on a public network.

Get a personalised mobile security checklist — free

Create a free account to track your progress, see your Security Score, and build toward Cyber Essentials alignment — on any device.

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