Why is it important to secure the data on your phones? Here’s how to do it easily

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Smartphones are the biggest trove of personal information. Everyone uses the smartphone to store extremely personal to sensitive official data on the phone. Right from WhatsApp to browser or even the built-in notes application almost every app has some information that you’d not want anyone else to have a look at.

And while the above statement holds for most, the fact that we have to willingly or unwillingly share the phone with people who should not be getting a chance to access personal stuff. No matter if it’s a peeping tom at the office, that irritating relative of yours or even kids at your home, you should always ensure that applications that hold sensitive information should have an extra layer of security to save yourselves from embarrassment at the personal or professional front.

Apps, like WhatsApp, have identified the value of privacy hence they have baked in the extra layer of security within its core features, however not every app offers you that flexibility. Hence let us have a look at a quick and simple guide to ensure that your data remains safe.

How to lock apps on iOS?

Unlike Android, iOS is more like a walled garden where app developers only have limited freedom when it comes to adding features. Most applications are not allowed access or control other applications; hence your best bet is to use the internal features of an application to the max to keep the peeping toms away.

iOS offers 3 different ways to unlock the app – FaceID, TouchID and a Pin Code. Here’s how you can lock a few of the most used applications on iOS:

WhatsApp:  You can access the inbuilt lock by tapping on Settings – Account and then Privacy. Under Privacy, you’ll find an option called Screen Lock that lets you lock WhatsApp. Activating this will ensure personal chit-chats are always secured. Just in case FaceID, TouchID or Pin Code fail, the application will redirect you to the default lock screen passcode.

Notes: Notes is yet another application that can be protected on iOS. You can lock individual Notes by clicking on the Share icon or long-pressing the note, then tap Lock Note. Additionally, you can lock the Notes app from the Settings app on the phone.

Similarly, Amazon, Dropbox, PayPal and Evernote along with major financial apps on iOS can use Touch ID or Face ID to help you keep your data secured.

How to lock apps on Android?

Unlike iOS, since Android is an open-source OS, it makes life slightly easy. Almost all applications come with a built-in additional lock or the manufacturers themselves build a feature that allows users to secure apps with a passcode, fingerprint sensor or even a pattern lock.

App-level authentication can be found under the privacy settings of the app. The system-level protection can be enabled from either Privacy tab or Application tab under the phone’s settings.

In case you’re still looking for an alternative solution, then there is no dearth of such apps on the Play Store. Simply download them and activate the protection layer from within the app. However, always remember to read the user reviews and only use a trustable app to secure your data.

Additionally, the latest version of Android comes with an alternate environment called “Second Space” or something similar depending on the OEM. This helps create a separate environment for specific usage. For example, You can install games and kids related stuff here and before loaning the device to them, activating it before handing over the phone to them would ensure that they will not be able to see or access any other apps or data on the phone.