Your smartphone, tablet, or other device is a full-fledged computer.   It is susceptible 
to risks inherent in online transactions. When shopping, banking, or sharing personal information

online, 

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Take the same precautions with your smartphone or other device that you do with your personal 

computer.

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The mobile nature of these devices means that you should also take precautions for the 
physical security of your device and consider the way you are accessing the internet.

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• Do not use public Wi-Fi networks - Avoid using open Wi-Fi networks to conduct personal 
business, bank, or shop online. Open Wi-Fi networks at places such as airports, coffee shops, and other public locations present an opportunity for attackers to intercept sensitive information that you would provide to complete an online transaction. If you must check your bank balance or make an online purchase while you are traveling, turn off your device's Wi-Fi connection and use your mobile device's cellular data internet connection instead of making the transaction over an unsecure Wi-Fi network.

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• Turn off Bluetooth when not  in use - Bluetooth-enabled accessories can be helpful,  such as 
earpieces for hands-free talking and external keyboards for ease of typing. When these devices are not in use, turn off the Bluetooth setting on your phone. Cyber criminals have the capability to pair with your phone's open Bluetooth connection when you are not using it and steal personal information.

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• Be cautious when charging - Avoid connecting your mobile device to any computer or charging station that you do not control, such as a charging station at an airport terminal or a shared computer at a library. Connecting a mobile device to a computer using a USB cable can allow software running on that computer to interact with the phone in ways that a user may not anticipate. As a result, a malicious computer could gain access to your sensitive data or install new software.

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• Do not fall victim to phishing scams - If you are in the shopping mode, an email that 
appears to be from a legitimate retailer might be difficult to resist.  If the deal looks too good to be true, or the link in the email or attachment to the text seems suspicious, do not click on it!

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• What to do if your accounts are compromised - If you notice that one of your online 
accounts has been hacked, call the bank, store, or Credit Card Company that owns your account.  Reporting fraud helps minimize the impact and lessens your personal liability. You should also change your account passwords for any online services associated with your mobile device using a different computer that you control.

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