A new smartphone for Christmas? Here are ten tips for using it safely, and ten golden rules to never have any unpleasant surprises. Some of these tips may seem obvious, others less so. In any case, it is always useful to reread them because it is a good opportunity to take stock of how you use your mobile.
1. I don’t give my cell phone number to just anyone.
You should consider your mobile number as an important part of your private life. It is the gateway to communicate with you. So, only share it with people you trust. You should also not share it in forms, to participate in draws, by SMS, etc. This is the best way to receive spam and commercial calls.
2. I protect my phone with a secure password
Would you never leave your front door wide open at any time of the day or night? Well, it’s pretty much the same if you don’t secure your phone with a password. This may seem obvious, but many people don’t do it. It’s so easy to lose your cell phone or have it stolen. And you have no
excuse because manufacturers are offering more and more different ways to lock your screen: PIN code, password, fingerprint recognition, etc.
3. I turn off my default Bluetooth.
And yes, while using Bluetooth can be very practical for many applications, it is also a privileged gateway to have your data stolen remotely or to receive unwanted advertising (blue spam). The easiest way is to disable it by default and only open it in trusted places or at home.
4. I think before permitting an application to geolocate me
It’s amazing how many apps ask for your location when they don’t need it to be used. You should check your permissions before installing an app.
As soon as you post a photo on social media with a person’s face, the right to one’s image applies. As a reminder, the right to one’s image allows a person to oppose the use, commercial or not, of their image, in the name of respect for privacy. You should therefore always think before posting a photo: do the person or people appearing agree with this? Could this image be harmful to someone? Of course, you should avoid posting illegal images, such as happy slapping.
Premium numbers and SMS are a real nuisance for mobile phone users. Be particularly wary of numbers starting with 08 99. To avoid receiving spam SMS from a company, you can send the word STOP in response (only works for 5-digit senders starting with 3,4,5,6,7,8).
In the event of an abusive SMS, you can also forward it as is to 33 700 and speak to your operator to get a refund.
7. I do not expose myself to waves in an inconsiderate manner
A mobile phone emits waves. As a precaution, it is better not to use the Internet while traveling and especially in transport, keep your phone switched on at least one meter away from you, and avoid putting it in your pants pockets, near your chest for girls, and under your pillow at night. The alarm will work even if the phone is switched off.
8. I never look at my cell phone screen while walking or riding a two-wheeler.
Constantly staring at your mobile screen can lead you to forget the outside world. And when you use your mobile in the street, remember to take your head out of your screen, especially when crossing the street. How many jostles and little scares occur on the sidewalks? Likewise, don’t look at your mobile while riding a bike, even if you’re stopped at a red light.
9. I note and keep the IMEI number of my mobile
The IMEI is a real “anti-theft” for your mobile phone. The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a number that uniquely identifies each GSM or UMTS mobile phone (ME) terminal (Wikipedia). This number allows the network operator to identify the calling mobile phone and thus authorize it or not to connect. And when you lose or have your mobile phone stolen, the first thing to do is to call your telephone operator to block it. So you should always have your IMEI number to hand.
10. If I have any doubts, I do not hesitate to ask the opinion of those around me
Don’t hesitate to ask your friends and family for advice when you have doubts about your mobile phone. Everyone has their own little experience and can share their little tips with you.
