mobile security (especially while travelling)

[atemporal]

so, we all run some form of IS/AV on pcs these days right? Even if just built-in MS windefender. What do people do for their smartphone? Do people bother there? Should we be sticking Norton/Kaspersky/Avast etc etc on our android/iphone/one plus and the like? I notice a lot of their multi-use licenses cover mobile devices too.

And then what about VPNs like NordVPN etc?

Would that change if you were going to be spending a lot of time travelling overseas and having to rely on public wifi a lot of the time?

[V1nny]

If your going to use public WiFi is the security on your own phone the thing you should be worried about or the fact that someone may be intercepting your connection data?

[Jonj1611]

I have Kaspersky

[atemporal]

I have Kaspersky

new phone is a pixel. What you on and how do you find Kaspersky on it? I'm worried it will slow it down and interfere with android processes etc

[Jonj1611]

Can't say I have noticed any slow down, apart from the icon in the status bar wouldn't know it was there really.

[AGTDenton]

Backup backup backup!!! And if you think you've backed up everything, backup again.

I basically don't put anything on my phone that would compromise something financial.
If you're worried about data that's on your phone like personal photos, back it up before you go abroad to the Cloud or a Local PC or both then potentially take them off the phone so should you lose it, you avoid being cloned or threatened in some future date. All things will be decrypted over time.

Before you go abroad make sure you have Pins, Passwords and biometrics setup so that only you can unlock and use your phone. I have biometrics setup for each application I deem important beyond just the lock screen, so text messages or notes. But games I couldn't care less about.

I actually don't use an AV or IS on my phone. Never have done, partly because I'd never use it to pay for things, and anything on it is backed up and not sensitive. If it was I'd remove it from the phone pretty sharpish.

If you're worried about battery life by installing an AV or IS then uninstall all the heavy apps you don't need whilst abroad. Such as Games or shopping apps that will mostly be available to download again when you're back without losing anything like progress or account info.
Other apps like notes etc... you may lose information unless it's stored in cloud so you would want to keep those for example.
Bear in mind when you uninstall a phone app, it takes everything about it off your phone, rarely do they leave settings, configuration or data you've inputted to it.

[Jonj1611]

I use Kaspersky so I can remote wipe the phone if it ever gets lost or goes missing.

[serka]

go for iphone better security more reliable.

[moricka]

iPhones do not really need security, as tasks are running in seperated "sandbox", so can not change, steal data, only web pages and unsecured wifis.

On Android I've been using eset's mobile security, great piece of sw, but a bit pricey. Now trying bitdefender as it is great on PC.

[Zak33]

iPhones do not really need security, as tasks are running in seperated "sandbox", so can not change, steal data, only web pages and unsecured wifis.

never say never

Apple used to use this as a sales pitch on Apple Macs.. until it wasnt true.

[jimbouk]

I guess there's two things people are considering here:

- phone being stolen. Just run through the scenario in your head if you're travelling somewhere where you think this might happen. If you're super paranoid about it then a non-smart phone for calls and texts which is 'on show' and a £100 smart phone with a fresh google account and nothing (credentials) saved on it only used discretely. Otherwise just actual secure locks on the device and apps (and trim the apps), not just a simple pattern unlock that people can see from the smudge on the screen...

- data being intercepted on public wifi. Shouldn't really be an issue using https, but get yourself a VPN if you're concerned.

[sean121]

I don't think it affects anything while traveling. VPN companies have servers all over the world and it doesn't matter if you are using public wifi or not. But if you are really concerned about your security and anonymity then you can use SOCKS proxies with VPN.

[bowepa]

I bought kaspersky for mobile and works perfect. No slowing down and very cheap. I've been using kaspersky on PC for ages so easy choice for me.

[Froger007]

Bitdefender is simple, good value and the best detection engine consistently.