If you’re like most of us, your phone contains things you don’t want other people to see, like baking information and personal photos. So, it’s important to make sure you keep your phone as safe as possible. Here are some quick tips to keep data thieves and peeping eyes out of your phone.

Turn On Password Protection

This is a really simple step that many people ignore. It can make a world of difference to your level of safety, though. Here's how to turn on password protection:

• Unlock your phone and head to the "Settings" app. It's usually represented by a gear icon and can be found on your home screen or app drawer.

• Look for "Security" or "Lock Screen & Security" (the exact wording may vary depending on your phone's make and model). Tap on it.

• Now, find the "Screen Lock" or "Lock Screen Type" option and tap on it.

• You'll see different security options like "Pattern," "PIN" or "Password." Choose the one you feel comfortable with; a password is generally the most secure.

• Enter your desired password. Make sure it's something memorable yet not too obvious to others. You can use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols for added security.

• Confirm your password by typing it in again.

That's it! Your phone is now protected with a password. That will keep prying eyes out of your phone if you ever lose it.

Remember to keep your password safe and don't share it with anyone you don't trust. And if you ever feel the need to change your password, just follow the same steps.

Avoid Being Monitored

Your smartphone has a lot of features and capabilities that center around location and other such activities, which can be really helpful when you want to avoid getting lost and such. But those features can also work against you.

In fact, it is surprisingly common for people to be monitored or tracked through their smartphones with apps that you use and secret apps that can be downloaded by others. That can pose a genuine threat to your personal safety and the safety and security of those around you. So it’s important to learn how to know if your phone is being tracked, and to take steps to avoid it happening.

Keep It Up To Date

Updating your phone is not just about making it faster. It can also keep you more secure too. An updated phone is harder to hack into, because the latest updates will normally have new security features that to thwart hackers. Setting your phone and your apps to auto-updated can keep you safe without having to rely on your memory.

Be Careful Where You Connect

Going online puts your device at higher risk, so you’ve got to be careful. Sharing the Wi-Fi at cafes, hotels and other public places makes your phone vulnerable. Hackers can use this connection to steal information from your phone. It’s better to use your data or secure hotspots than shared Wi-Fi when out and about.

Encrypt Your Phone

Encypting your phone is one of the best ways to keep your information secure. Check out my article at Reader’s Digest for more information: Encrypted Phones: What It Means and How It Works