Protect your investment by securing your smartphone or tablet

damage.

Here I share a few tips to help keep your mobile devices protected:

Get a cover: Since cell phones and tablets are prone to falling and other physical damage, I suggest getting a cover. There are many options out there, but remember to buy a cover that’s made specifically for your particular phone or tablet model. You may be able to purchase them where you bought the mobile device or you can find else in stores or online. My favorite brand is OtterBox (www.otterbox. com). Their covers certainly aren’t the cheapest, but seem to provide very good physical protection.

Antivirus: Though viruses aren’t as prevalent on mobile devices as they are on computers, it’s a good idea to have some type of security protection. Similar to antivirus programs on computers, there are security apps for mobile devices that scan the files and apps you download and websites you visit for suspicious items or activity.

Remote locating: Many security apps on mobile devices also allow you to remotely locate your device when lost or stolen, displaying its location on a map and allowing you to make the device sound or scream even if it is on silent mode. You can usually remotely control your device via a website on a computer. The remote controls should work as long as the lost device is powered on and connected to the Internet via either the cell towers or Wi-Fi.

Anti-theft: The security apps also usually allow you to remotely lock the device with a password so others can’t snoop. Some of the security apps give you the ability to remotely wipe the device if you don’t think you’ll get it back. Furthermore, some can even take photos and/or audio of those who try to access the lost device, helping you find or catch who has the device.

Backup: Some of the security apps allow you to setup scheduled backups of your device and/ or remotely initiate a backup if you’ve lost your device. Backups may include your contacts, call and text logs, photos, music, and videos.

Many smartphones and tablets come with some type of security or remote locating feature preinstalled.

For Apple iOS devices, consider using Apple’s iCloud (www.icloud. com) service for basic remote locating features. On Android devices, the preinstalled security or remote features varies between manufacturers and Android versions.

Perhaps check out the Android Device Manager (www.google.com/ android/devicemanage) or the System settings on the phone.

For Windows phones, Microsoft provides a Find My Phone feature (account.microsoft.com/ devices).

If your device doesn’t have security and/or remote locating features preinstalled, you can certainly find third-party apps on your device’s app store.

Search for apps with the keywords “security” or “remote locate.”

If you have an Android device and it’s already been lost without prior protection, you can still possibly recover it with the Android Lost app (www.androidlost.com). For iOS and Windows devices, double-check the preinstalled service; you may have forgotten that you set it up.