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# Be smart about your phone
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/be_smart_about_your_phone_1004140702/
- Published: 2014-10-04T08:02:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T14:26:26.000Z
- Description: FTC advice for guarding the data on a smartphone: set the phone to lock itself, use separate passwords for each shopping or financial app, keep personal information off public Wi-Fi, delete texts and emails that ask for it, and switch Bluetooth off when you are not using it.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Government, Health News, #vivvo-import

# October 3, 2014

by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle , Attorney, FTC

You just bought the latest smartphone. You loaded all your favorite apps — online banking, GPS, even an app to track your health.

But now your phone is full of information about you — how much money you have, where you are and whether you’ve gained a little weight. Your information can cause problems if it’s in the wrong hands. Want to protect it? These tips are for you: 

- **Set your phone to lock automatically.** When you don’t use your phone for a few minutes, the phone should automatically lock itself and require a password to reopen.
- **Use** [passwords](http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0009-computer-security?ref=foodconsumer.org#passwords) **for your phone**. In addition to a password to unlock your phone, use different passwords for each shopping or financial app. Don’t share your passwords with anyone.
- **Be wise about** [**Wi-Fi**](http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0014-tips-using-public-wi-fi-networks?ref=foodconsumer.org)**.** Don’t send personal information on a public wireless network in a coffee shop, library or hotel. Wait until you can use an encrypted Wi-Fi network that requires a password.
- **Foil** [phishing](http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0003-phishing?ref=foodconsumer.org) **attempts.** Don’t text or email personal information, and delete any texts or email messages that ask for it. If you must give out personal information, do it only if you type in the organization’s web address yourself and you see signs that the site is secure — either “https” (the “s” stands for secure) or a lock icon.
- **Connect to Bluetooth carefully**. Bluetooth makes it easier for you to connect your phone with other devices. But, like other wireless connections, Bluetooth also can make it easier for thieves to steal your personal information. So, connect to Bluetooth in private, uncrowded areas only. Don’t forget to turn off Bluetooth when you aren’t using it.

Now you’re ready to start using your new phone, right? [Before you toss your old smartphone](http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0200-disposing-your-mobile-device?ref=foodconsumer.org), remove all your personal information. It’s important to protect your personal information from the moment you start using your phone until you get rid of it.

To learn more, check out our articles on [keeping your personal information secure](http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0272-how-keep-your-personal-information-secure?ref=foodconsumer.org) and[understanding mobile apps](http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0018-understanding-mobile-apps?ref=foodconsumer.org).