Top 4 Causes of Mobile Phone Data Loss with Safety Tips

When you think about all the things you use your mobile phone for, you can only imagine what it would be like for your data to suddenly be...

When you think about all the things you use your mobile phone for, you can only imagine what it would be like for your data to suddenly be lost or stolen. The truth is that thousands of cell phone users either lose their phones or have their data compromised, costing them billions of dollars collectively. While not all lost or breached data is the result of human actions, many of these events can be avoided with a few simple steps.

Before you can minimize the risks to lost mobile phone data, you must first be aware of the methods in which it is lost. Below is a list of the most common reasons this occurs:

1. Phone Damage

Smartphones are a modern convenience. However, they are also very fragile. Dropping your phone on the ground too many times or even spilling liquid on it could result in the phone being inaccessible to you. When you can’t turn the phone on, essentially, you’re unable to retrieve important data that you need. There are several ways to remedy this:

• Data Recovery Servicer – Did you know that there are companies that offer mobile phone data recovery services? If your phone has been damaged to the point you can’t turn it on or access it, they can retrieve the lost data for you.

• Data Backup – If you keep important information on your phone, it is important to back this data up on another source. Most cell phone providers offer data backup solutions that would allow them to transfer contacts, files, and applications to a new phone should you ever lose yours. There is also the option to save things to other sources like the cloud so that you can access it later if need be.

• Cases and Screen Protectors – To minimize the damage to your phone, it is a good idea to invest in a high-quality screen protector and phone case. This will keep the phone from getting obliterated should you drop it.

2. Lost or Stolen Property

Another common reason that mobile phone data is lost is because phones are misplaced or stolen. Suspecting thieves know that you keep important information on your smartphone, and they also know the value of the phone, therefore making them very attractive to steal. While accidents certainly happen when it comes to lost phones, here are some suggestions to keep in mind:

• Secure the Phone  – Instead of walking around with your phone in your hand, it is a good idea to secure it in a holder, your pocket, or a purse. This will minimize the chances of you placing it down and forgetting about it.

• Download a Phone Tracker – It doesn’t take long for a person to realize they’ve misplaced their cell phone, and securing it can be a lot easier with a phone tracking application. Such applications utilize GPS to help you pin down the location of your phone. This way, you might be able to secure it before it is stolen or at the very least before the data is taken.

3. Public Wi-Fi Connections

Most would agree that if you could choose between free internet access and using your mobile data plan, you’d prefer the free option. Many public establishments now offer access to Wi-Fi for their customers. When connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, however, you leave yourself vulnerable to malicious attacks and hackers accessing your information without your knowledge. To minimize the risks:

• Don’t Access Banks – Never access your banking account (or any other password protected account) information over a public Wi-Fi connection.

4. Accessing Fraudulent Emails and/or Websites

As stated before, people use their phones for just about everything. When accessing email accounts online or shopping online, it can be fairly easy to click on something that scans your phone for information or opens an attack.

• If You Don’t Know Who the Sender is, Don’t Open – If you’re not sure who the sender of the email is, your best bet is to not open it. A lot of times the emails will seem too good to be true offering you cash, or job opportunities, or even saying that you won a sweepstakes of some kind. It is best to leave it unopened until you’re able to do more research.

• Make Sure the Site is Safe – You should never shop on a website or enter personal information on a site that you’re not sure is safe. If you’ve never visited the site before, check the Better Business Bureau to see if it is safe. Also, look at the web address. If you don’t see https it is not a secure site to put information on. Another indicator that a site is safe is a lock icon which implies that encryption is used to protect your personal information.

People make the above mistakes often and it ends up costing them big. The above tips provided should give you a better idea of what to do if your phone gets lost, stolen, damaged, or your data is compromised by some other means. Though nothing is foolproof, having a strategy can provide peace of mind and minimize the blow.