There’s no doubt about it - mobile devices have become man’s new best friend. If you don’t believe it, consider that there are currently over 4 billion mobile phones in use worldwide among 7 billion people, not to mention millions of tablets. People use their devices to stay in touch, take pictures, shop, bank, listen to music, and socialize. Additionally, they store personal and professional information on them, and because they use them for almost everything, they have both a high financial and emotional value.

Losing your smartphone or tablet, or the information on it, can be a hassle. If you lose your mobile device, you not only have to replace it, but you could also lose the sensitive information you had stored on it, including account numbers and confidential work information. So, why do so many of people leave their mobile devices unprotected?

Though most people do recognise the need to protect their computers from a myriad of digital threats, many don’t realize that they face the same threats, as well as a host of new ones, with mobile devices. In fact, most mobile users don't even know that there is security software for mobile phones, even though it has become increasingly essential.

For one thing, the growing popularity of mobile devices has led cybercriminals to see them as a new avenue for attack. Mobile malware has grown significantly in recent years, becoming ever-more sophisticated and dangerous as it spreads. Furthermore, cybercriminals are not just designing malware for mobile, they are also taking advantage of the way you use these devices to trick you into opening risky emails and web pages, or accidentally downloading a malicious file.

So, as a mobile user, keep in mind that you need to learn how to how to protect yourself from a variety of threats. Some of the essentials for your mobile protection include: locking your device with a PIN number password that only you know, only installing applications from trusted sources, backing up your data, keeping your mobile software updated, remembering to log out of bank and shopping sites and making good use of Antivirus software.

It's also important to avoid sending personal information such as bank details or passwords via email, as such valuable information can be easily hacked by cybercriminals. It's also a good idea to turn off Wi-Fi, location services and Bluetooth when you are not using them. This will limit the chances of your important information being leaked in a shared digital environment.

Fiona Roy 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.