By Gerry Sneeringer

In ever increasing numbers, people are falling in love with their smartphones. Whether they are iPhones, Androids, BlackBerrys, or a number of other similar devices, people are attached to them. According to a recent survey, 30 percent of those interviewed would rather lose their wallet than their smartphone, and for good reason. These devices are a combination of telephone, camera, movie player, game console, filing cabinet, personal assistant, flashlight, financial manager, photo album, and just about anything else that an application programmer can invent.

While it is convenient and fun to use these devices, it is also possible to compromise your privacy or put your information at risk of being stolen or lost in the interest of ease of use. Heed these suggestions to keep your relationship with your mobile device as safe as possible.

1. Your mobile device should never hold your only copy of something that you care about. Let's face it. Mobile devices are mobile because they are small. Because they are small, they are easy to lose, drop, or steal. You should expect that sooner or later, you and your smartphone will part company under less than happy circumstances. There are several services available for backing up the contents of your device, and some wireless services will provide one at little or no charge. Set up a service, and be sure that your device is backed up on a regular basis.
   
   
2. Your mobile device should be protected by a pass code. Continuing with the assumption that your device will eventually be in the hands of a stranger, you should prevent him or her from being able to use your phone, access applications that may have personal information, or view your personal pictures. If your device gives you the option, you should choose a pass code with numbers AND letters. There are tools that can quickly run through all possible four-digit sequences. Most phones will also destroy your stored information if too many failed attempts occur. This is a good idea, because given enough tries, your code will eventually be guessed. If you followed tip #1, your information will be retrievable from your backup service if you wipe out your own files by mistake.
   
   
3. Only use trusted app stores - and be cautious using them. One of the most common ways that mobile devices become infected with viruses or malware is by acquiring an application from a fraudulent application store. These stores offer products that look like well-known apps, but are in fact counterfeits that contain unwelcome surprises. Use major application sites, and even with those sites, avoid downloading apps when they are first released. Occasionally, a malicious app will get past the quality control teams and get onto a legitimate site. Let someone else be the guinea pig.
   
   
4. Avoid storing passwords for sensitive websites. If a website holds information that you do not want others to see, such as your bank account, your school records, or sites related to your work, be careful storing those passwords on your mobile device. You should assume that a determined individual may find a way past the first three suggestions, and you don't want that person to be able to exploit either the business or personal information accessible with your saved passwords.
   
   
5. Consider security management software for your smartphone. There are products available for the most common mobile devices that allow you to make contact with your device after it has been lost or stolen. You can order your device to make loud noises to attract attention, you can get the location of the device from GPS, and you can send a signal to force the device to wipe all of your data and lock the phone. Some products will also bundle the data backup and restoration services mentioned above with the security management.
   
   

While some of these tips could take some of the potential fun out of using your mobile device, if it falls into the hands of a thief, you'll be happy that you were prepared - even if it means entering passwords regularly and backing up your files often.