Significant measures for safeguarding mobile data
Mobile devices today carry sensitive financial records, customer information, and organizational data. Losing a phone means more than losing hardware — it can expose critical personal and professional details. Government campaigns increasingly promote cyber security and digital awareness, urging users to take proactive steps before a loss occurs.
Special care should be given to devices that hold financial or customer data. A few practical precautions can dramatically reduce the risk of data falling into the wrong hands.
- Use strong screen locks — a PIN, password, or biometric lock is your first line of defense.
- Enable remote tracking — both iOS and Android offer built-in find-my-device services that can locate, lock, or erase a lost phone.
- Encrypt device storage — modern smartphones encrypt data by default when a screen lock is set; verify this is active.
- Back up regularly — cloud or local backups ensure your data survives even if the device does not.
- Install security software — antivirus and anti-theft apps add layers of protection against malware and unauthorized access.
- Be cautious on public networks — avoid transmitting sensitive information over unsecured Wi-Fi.
What to do if your device is already missing
If your phone is lost or stolen, act quickly:
- Use a trusted device or computer to log into your device-tracking service and mark the phone as lost.
- Remotely lock the screen and display a recovery message with an alternate contact number.
- If recovery seems unlikely, remotely erase the device to protect your data.
- Notify your mobile carrier to suspend service and prevent unauthorized use.
- Change passwords for accounts accessed from that device — email, banking, and social media.
Related reading: For broader device protection, explore our Blog for security tips and troubleshooting guides. You can also manage your Norton account settings at Norton My Account.
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