Maintain Physical Control of Your Device

If you’re out and about, you should try to keep your devices with you at all times. In some cases, cybercrooks may only need a few seconds with your device to hack into it or plant malware on it.

Also get into the habit of locking your device before setting it down on a table or even putting it back in your bag or pocket; this will not only improve security, but also help save battery life too.

If you encounter somebody who needs to make a phone call in an emergency, you can still be a Good Samaritan and help them out while taking a few simple precautions. Instead of simply handing over your unlocked device, offer to dial the number for them, and then let them have your phone once the call starts ringing through.

On an iPhone, you can also lock your device after placing the call as long you switch the speakerphone mode on before pressing the Sleep/Wake button. Once locked, you can switch the speakerphone off again, and the iPhone will stay locked as long as you’re careful not to inadvertently trigger Face ID in the process.