From people who never silence their ringer to people who text during a movie, mobile pet peeves are universally shared in both the personal and professional space. A recent poll conducted by Microsoft Safer Online revealed the most annoying mobile habits:
- Constant phone checking
- Loud talkers
- Using or not silencing phones when appropriate
- Using mobile device during a face-to-face conversation
While mobile phone pet peeves are rude and annoying, the more important issue is how to help protect one’s device and information from scammers, rogue software and the oversharing of digital details. Research from Microsoft’s Computing Safety Index revealed that when it comes to mobile phone safety habits, we still have a lot to learn. For instance, only 32 percent of men and 24 percent of women keep their mobile devices up-to-date to defend against online risks. And while 40 percent of women limit what strangers can see on social networking sites, only 32 percent of men protect their social information. These behaviors expose both your personal and professional information to potential threats.
Protecting yourself online and while using your personal and business mobile devices is paramount in today’s online world. Microsoft offers the following tips to help you stay safe on your mobile device:
- Please silence your mobile phone. Know when to put the phone away and be present, especially during meetings and events. Limit checking your phone to breaks.
- Help protect your privacy online. Don’t overshare. Is your social media update from your vacation appropriate for your boss, clients and coworkers to see? Save vacation highlights and photos for your return.
- Use location-based services safely. Think carefully about turning on geotagging. Share your location only with those you trust. Pay attention to where and when you check in. Get permission before you check in others.
- Conduct financial transactions on a secure network. Don’t use “borrowed” or public Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Lock your mobile phone with a unique, four-digit PIN. Keep it secret.
You can access more mobile safety tips on Microsoft’s Safer Online Facebook page.