Protecting personal information on your phone

While it is amazing and useful that mobile phone technology has developed to the point where you can access the internet, take photos and videos and store phone numbers and personal information, there is also a downside. Identity theft and technology based crime have surfed into prominence on the current wave of technology, and protecting your personal information on your phone is now just as important as doing so when using a computer.

Mobile phones & personal information

You are most vulnerable to loss of personal information stored on your phone when selling or swapping it. While many people believe that simply removing your SIM card will be enough, it is not.

Much of your personal information is certainly stored on your SIM card, so it is essential to remove this when selling your phone, disposing of it or even putting it in for repairs. Don't let anyone else use your SIM card either
When selling or passing on your phone, follow the manufacturer's instructions(in the instruction manual or on their website), to wipe your personal information from the phone itself. If you are unsure whether this has been done properly, contact the manufacturer for instructions
Smartphones are especially vulnerable to theft of identity and other personal information, simply because they allow you to store and access so much, particularly financial information. Take care with Smartphones, ensuring that you always know where they are, and that they are not left visible in cars or in other situations where theft could occur
Mobile Muster is an Australian mobile phone recycling service, and it is safe to recycle you phone through this, as personal information is protected, and phones physically destroyed
Be aware, too, that mobile phone bullying and harassment is taken every bit as seriously by the law as any other form of harassment, and if you are subject to it there is protection available through the legal system
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Authority website offers help in protecting your personal information on mobile phones.

Taking steps to ensure that your mobile phone is secure is becoming more and more important as phones become 'smarter', and store more and more personal information.

Phones and personal information

The importance of keeping your mobile phone secure becomes obvious when you consider how much personal information might be stored there. Keep your phone secure while you own it, remove the SIM card and wipe personal information if you sell it or pass it on, and dispose of it once its useful life is over using the Mobile Muster system to protect yourself from fraud or identity theft.