As phone capabilities continue to advance, so do security threats, and individuals handling sensitive documents and emails on their phone put themselves at risk of having their private information breached, altered or stolen. Naturally, this has a knock-on effect to businesses when employees access their networks remotely, meaning that many individuals might unknowingly be putting both themselves and their companies at risk every day.

If you need access to your sensitive documents and company network on the go however, there are things you can do to improve your phone's security. In much the same way that it's possible for businesses and individuals to protect their computer from viruses and spam, it's also possible to protect smartphones.

While fairly basic, installing anti-virus software is one step that can be undertaken to protect a smartphone. As you might already know, anti-virus programs work by scanning your received files and checking to make sure they are clean and safe for your computer, and if you ever suspect you have downloaded a dangerous file to your phone, you'll be able to check by doing an immediate scan.

Anti-spam and firewall features are also important for smartphones and can help prevent your mobile from getting bogged down with annoying popups or other potentially damaging malware. As you would expect, anti-spam programs work by filtering out email, SMS and voice mail messages, so that you don't have to waste time sifting through fake messages. Having a personal firewall on your phone will also help you keep your network secure when you're browsing the Internet, and can protect you from any hacking threats while you're using your mobile, in exactly the same way a firewall works with a standard computer.

Because mobile phones are small and compact by nature, occasionally they do get lost or misplaced, and can often be an easy target for theft. Most security software also offers tracking services that can locate your cell phone remotely if it is ever lost or stolen, and wipe the information from your phone so that it can never fall into the wrong hands, definitely a huge advantage from a business perspective.

However, another recent alarming development has been what has been described as a significant growth in malware aimed at mobile platforms, in the second quarter of this year alone. Mobile security companies have, unsurprisingly, been quick to develop tools that aim to stop such malware from coming into contact with phones, but smartphone users who haven’t invested in such security could still find themselves at risk.

Smartphones undoubtedly help to make life more convenient for businesses by giving users access to useful tools while they're out with the office. By taking the time to invest in mobile security you can rest assured that any smartphones being used for business purposes are safe from potential threats.

Calien McToldridge writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.