Cell phones are extremely
popular among the younger generation. There aren't many teenagers
around who do not have their own cell phone in order to help them to
keep in touch with their friends and family.
As new cell phones are brought out, technology has
improved them dramatically in order to provide advanced mobile
features to the user.
While these features have made life easier for many
people, they have also caused a few potential problems.
The new advanced features have increased the potential
risks associated with using the phones - in terms of both
privacy and security. |
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How Young People Are at Risk
Advanced features on cell phones tend to include:
E-mail
Internet
Instant Messenger
Downloading
Cameras
Now when surfing the internet anywhere, you are at risk
of security threats. If you order something online your details can
be stolen. The main problem with teenagers and internet on their
cell phones, however, is that they are not being supervised.
The dangers which come with surfing and talking online
can usually be supervised at home. However, if you are the parent
of a young teenager, it's almost impossible to monitor
what they are doing while they are out with their friends.
If you yourself are a teenager and you use the
internet on your cell phone, you need to be aware of the potential
cell phone security risks involved if you are to stay safe.
Cell phone security is not all that it is cracked up to
be. People can still get into your phone and steal your details. If
you use the wrong internet websites you could end up with
information being stolen from you and you could even be a victim of
account cloning.
Another problem which can occur is your cell phone will
be transmitting data to other mobile users. This is especially the
case in cell phones which are equipped with Bluetooth as they share
a connection with other Bluetooth users nearby.
Your cell phone could actually
be turned into a
microphone to monitor conversations in the vicinity of your phone
while it is inactive.
So, all your information on your phone could
potentially be accessed by other Bluetooth users. It also makes it
easier for cell phone users to send you information.
This means that if somebody wanted to harass you, they
could through your Bluetooth connection.
It's even possible for your cell phone number to be
used by others to make calls that are charged to your account -
called "cloning".
Overall, there are many potential cell phone security
threats which young cell phone users face. So it's important to be
extra careful with the information you share and download while
using these advanced cell phone features.
... Richard Rossbauer |
