With the proliferation of smartphones being introduced to the market, mobile security is becoming a major issue as cyber criminals run rampant. To combat this, users need to establish several vital steps to prevent themselves from being potential targets of mobile scams.

Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, 403 Web Security is a web application security company whose goal is to help create and remediate websites to raise the level of security and boasts the ability to detect vulnerabilities. The company sets itself apart from competitors due to the fact that it’s willing to go out on a limb and ensure sites, whether old or new, are as secure as they can get.

Today I had the chance to speak with Alan Wlasuk, CEO of 403 Web Security, about the issues consumers must keep in mind when utilizing smartphones.

“A smartphone is genetically equivalent to a laptop computer; it’s just small enough to fit in your pocket and just happens to make phone calls. It’s a different perspective on your smartphone than most people have, as it in essence is a computer in your pocket and you have to protect it,” Wlasuk said.

In order to avoid becoming a mobile cyber casualty, users must:

1. Always use a passcode

It is crucial that users begin to protect their phone right out of the box. To do this, passcodes can be leveraged, which allows iPhones and such to utilize passwords.

According to Wlasuk, “You might have some kid who finds your phone or steals it from your car and the passcode will keep the average person out of your phone. However, you also need to assume that anyone with any sophistication can find out your passcode and jailbreak your phone, so make sure that your passcode is as robust as possible but then also assume that even if you have a passcode a lost or stolen phone might be an opportunity for a sophisticated thief to get in.”

2. If your smartphone is lost or stolen, think of it as if you just lost your wallet

When you lose your wallet, what do you do? You call the credit card companies and you cancel your cards. Smartphones are identical, as they contain financial information that is accessible via your phone, such as bank accounts, PayPal (News - Alert), Ebay—all financial items that, if someone can get in your phone, the consequences could be very bad. Hence, ensuring that your financial features are safe at all times is crucial.

3. Remain in the know about three innovative features

There are some functionalities available to smartphone users that can keep them safe in situations where their device has been lost or stolen. First is the “kill the lights” capability, which allows users to go in and wipe their phone remotely so that all of the information is removed. Second, the remote wipe feature can be set up through your home computer, wiping the smartphone’s memory completely clean. Third, the remote GPS tracking feature allows people to find their phone, no matter if it’s at the supermarket or lost in the hills from a morning hike. If you can’t find your phone, don’t worry; just use this feature to locate it.

4. Never jailbreak a phone

“This is something you have heard a lot about it in the past as it’s really prevalent. In fact, over 10 percent of people will jailbreak their phone, which helps cyber thieves get through lines of security. A jailbroken phone is never as secure as an off the shelf phone”, Wlasuk added.

Additionally, as apps are being downloaded at a record speed, make sure if you decide to purchase any that they are from legitimate, secure and reputable sources or you “could end up with a Trojan horse inside your phone just like you would with a computer,” he stated.

It’s important to inform smartphone users about these scams and how to avoid them because the next wave of cyber crime will be in smartphones, as criminals will continue to hack applications and files. Due to the fact that a smartphone is more similar to a computer than an ordinary cell phone, computers are constantly susceptible to cyber crime.

In 2012, within the mobile security industry, “We will see a number of applications from major security vendors such as Apple, Google (News - Alert) and Microsoft who will put virus and malware security protections on phones, allowing users to download them and pay a couple of bucks,” Wlasuk concluded.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO East 2012, taking place Jan. 31-Feb. 3 2012, in Miami, FL. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. For more information on registering for ITEXPO registration click here.

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