How to shield your smart phone from hacking | Crime

Cyber-criminals can hack your smart phone just like they'd hack your computer.

A spokesperson for ProtectMyID.com, an identity protection service sold by credit bureau Experian, said one in every seven of those hackers is a friend or relative of their victims. They call that "friendly fraud."

Doesn't sound very friendly to me.

These are user-friendly, though. They are ProtectMyID.com's tips to prevent smart phone hacking:

* Password protect your phone with a unique password. Use different passwords for each online account. The Secret Service recommends passwords with at least eight characters, mixing letters, numbers, symbols and cases.

* When finished, log out of applications that automatically access payment information.

* Only use trusted Wi-Fi networks. If you're using an unprotected network, do not access your bank account online or any web site that requires your password. For details on secure Wi-Fi networks, safe browsing and password protection, please click here for The Action News 5 Investigators' story on password stealers.

* Learn what your specific mobile device requires to be secure and manage that security.

* Back up the data on your smart phone.

* Consider using a mobile device management service, like iHound, that can track and remotely wipe a lost or stolen device.