Just like the data on your computer, the data on your smart phone is at risk. The most common dangers to your phone include lost and stolen devices, weak or no passwords, malware, and spyware. This page outlines the risks associated with the information on your phone and ways to secure your phone to keep that information safe.
Bank Account and Shopping Applications
Banks and online stores such as Amazon.com are making it easier to conduct business through a mobile application. Many of these apps have the option for you to automatically log into your account. If your phone is stolen, and you have the automatic log in feature enabled, the thief would have access to your financial accounts and could make fraudulent purchases or engage in identity theft.
Email Addresses and Contacts
Spammers and spyware would love to gain access to your phones addresses and contacts. It would steal this information and start sending out spam messages to your friends and family possibly exposing them to phishing and other email attacks.
Personal Information and Photos
There have been many instances of celebrities who have had their phones hacked and compromising phones stolen and posted on the Internet. Even if the information on your computer is not scandalous in nature a criminal could use it to steal your identity or for blackmail and harassment.
Organizational and Company Data
Many use their personal cell phones to connect to their work email accounts. If the passwords are saved in the phone criminals could gain access and read all the users work email or send fraudulent emails as the user. The risk to the user and company includes identity theft, data theft and disclosure, and other criminal activities.
