Tethering at home through mobile hotspot, security issues?

[Tara100]

I have a Samsung Galaxy S6 and as I have no broadband at home, I have a quite large mobile data allowance of 20gb.

I tether my phone to an old xp laptop occasionally, and I'm wondering about security.

The first time I paired both, I had to give the laptop the code that was stated on the mobile hotspot connect page, and now it automatically connects (this code never changes on the phone)

Should I be concerned about security, and if so, what steps can I take to make sure my connection is secure from others?

Many thanks.

 

[B. Diddy]

I assume the code you're talking about is the password that you selected when setting up the phone's hotspot. It's essentially the same as setting up a wi-fi router at home, where you select a password for the network that anyone who wants to connect has to input as well. So when you connected the computer to your hotspot, you were only entering the password for that hotspot that you selected. The computer remembers this unless you instruct the computer to forget that hotspot. It doesn't mean the computer suddenly has access to all aspects of your phone.

 

[Tara100]

Thank you.

I was concerned about the security of my phone by tethering, but from what you are saying, unless someone else has access to the code, then they can't access my phone? Sorry I'm not very techy brained!
Are there any steps I should take security wise as I use mobile data all the time?

Thanks again

 

[Laura Knotek]

Thank you.

I was concerned about the security of my phone by tethering, but from what you are saying, unless someone else has access to the code, then they can't access my phone?

That is correct.



Sent from my Moto X Pure Edition using Tapatalk

 

[Tara100]

Thanks

Any ideas on good security for my phone due to using only mobile data in general please, when not tethering?

 

[Laura Knotek]

Thanks

Any ideas on good security for my phone due to using only mobile data in general please, when not tethering?

Don't use public WiFi for any sensitive transactions such as shopping and banking.

Only install apps from trusted app stores such as the Play Store or the Amazon Appstore.

Don't visit dodgy sites or click on links that are from uncertain sources.

Sent from my Moto X Pure Edition using Tapatalk

 

[Tara100]

Ah yes, I'm careful that way

I wondered if there was more of a need to add security software?

 

[Laura Knotek]

Ah yes, I'm careful that way

I wondered if there was more of a need to add security software?

Personally I don't use any security software on my phone or tablet.

Your biggest security risk isn't your phone, it's that you're still using Windows XP, which Microsoft doesn't support any longer, not even for security updates.

Sent from my Moto X Pure Edition using Tapatalk

 

[B. Diddy]

Good advice from Laura Knotek. Here's my usual advice:

For the most part, it's still quite difficult to get an actual virus on your phone, because malware requires you to manually accept the installation (which is why they try to fool you into thinking you're installing something legitimate). Use common sense:

1. Avoid shady websites that deal with things like porn, gambling, and "free" (aka pirated) apps/music/movies.

2. Never ever tap on a link that appears in a popup while browsing, especially if they're warning you that your phone is infected--they're just trying to scare you into installing some bogus "antivirus" app that is probably malicious itself.

3. Only install apps from well-established app sources like Google Play Store or Amazon Appstore. Read a bunch of app reviews before installing an app to look for any complaints about adware or suspected malware.

4. Turn on Google's "Verify Apps" function. This allows Google to periodically scan your phone's apps to look for malware. It's usually in your Google Settings app, under Security (although it might also be in the main System Settings, in Settings>Security).

 

[Tara100]

Thank you all. That's great advice x

 

[Tara100]

Oh and I'm upgrading the old lappy to Windows 7. My better laptop has recently died and is too expensive to repair, so I've been stuck with the old relic for a couple of weeks. ;-)

 

[B. Diddy]

That's better, but still not ideal. Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended in January of this year, which means it won't get any more feature updates or patches. Security updates will still continue until 2020, at least. Windows lifecycle fact sheet - Windows Help

 

[Tara100]

I'll have a new lappy this Xmas if I grovel enough

 

[youmustbekidding]

for added security generate the hotspot passphrase with any password generation tool you can find online. You can comfortably view it later if you need to pair any new devices.
Do not share this password with anyone. If you do- make sure to change it afterwards.
Use a VPN on your phone- preferably one that actually offers any security (OpenVPN instead of PPTP), you can find various guides online. The hotspot should trickle down the VPN connection to the device connected to it.

 

[Tara100]

Thanks again!