Security Modules That Are Changing The Mobile Interface

Remember the days when a username and password were enough to keep hackers out of your personal information? If it feels like just yesterday, you're not alone since only 2017, Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that total worldwide spending for online security products will pass $1 trillion this year.

Luckily, there are lots of computer-savvy folks out there working hard to keep your data safe. Below are some of the newest security modules that online mobile users can take advantage of.

Biometric Authentication

If you've purchased a smartphone in the past few years, the chances are that whether you realized it or not, you're already using biometric authentication. Biometric authentication uses physical features to determine that you are you.

Examples of biometric authentication include:

• Fingerprints
• Retina and iris detection
• Voice recognition
• Facial features

More advanced forms of biometric authentication include liveness detection. That way, a hacker can't access your data by using a photo of you with the facial recognition feature.

If you already have a device that uses biometric authentication, you can attest to how easy it is to use. Face recognition, in particular, is a popular option—all you have to do is look at your phone to access the system, which, let's face it, is what we all do anyway.

Encryption

You've likely heard of encryption, but like many people, you might not have a good grasp of what it does. Take a look at the upper left-hand corner of your screen. Do you see a little lock icon? If so, that means you're on an encrypted webpage.

Encryption ensures that any information you look at on the internet is visible solely to you. While you should aim only to enter web pages with the little encryption lock icon, if you need to enter a non-encrypted website, never enter your personal data.

Another form of encryption is through a Virtual Private Network (VPN). When you connect to a VPN, your online activity is routed through the VPN's network, thus preventing strangers from accessing your data. VPNs are particularly advantageous when you connect to public networks.

Key Codes

Key codes are a way to protect the password to your router. The most recent key code security module is WPA3, which stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access 3.

Launched in 2018, WPA3 is a more secure method than its earlier versions because it offers stronger brute force protection. In other words, it requires password-guessing hackers to try to guess your password within the vicinity of your Wi-Fi router after their first failed guess.

Since hackers typically steal information from far away, WPA3 significantly decreases security threats.

Hardware

There's arguably nothing more secure than storing your personal information off devices connected to the internet. That's where hardware security modules (HSMs) come into play.

HSMs are a popular security tool among cryptocurrency users who prefer to store their digital coins off their device instead of risking them getting hacked from a cryptocurrency exchange.

What makes HSMs so effective is that they often have tamper-resistant qualities, manage digital keys, offer both encryption and decryption, and encompass some of the other security measures we're covering.

Random Number Generation

If you own a piece of paper full of numbers and letters with the same general password for different logins, you're in good company. But let's face it—people are prone to forgetting all those password nuances, so you're better off taking advantage of random number generation.

Random number generators produce a password—usually involving numbers, letters, and symbols—that have no rhyme or reason. By creating long, unpredictable password sequences, you'll make it more challenging for hackers to guess your login details and gain access to your personal information.

Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication, also called 2FA, is a popular mobile security measure that big-name companies like Apple and Amazon use.

Once you set up 2FA and put in your regular password, you'll need to pass through one more security check before accessing your account. That can include text message verification, voice-based verification, or push notification, among others.

Although two-factor authentications feel inconvenient, they offer an added level of security when you're online from your mobile device.

Wrap Up

The internet isn't going anywhere soon, and, unfortunately, nor are the hackers looking to steal your personal information. Thankfully, security modules for mobile phone users are constantly advancing to help keep you safe while surfing the web.