The Mobile Marketing Blog - TellMyCell

5 Ways to Make Your Mobile More Secure

 

Banking, shopping, doing your taxes, sharing and storing photos and more - as smartphone capabilities grow so too do the opportunities for hackers to get their hands on your private info. So how do you go make sure that your smartphone and the information it contains remains safe? Here are five straightforward tips to put to use this year:

Auto lock it

Your first line of defense when protecting your mobile is to set it to lock automatically. Set up a password that’s convenient to type and easy to remember. Chief technology officer for Perimeter E-Security, Andrew Jaquith, advises you stick to a password that’s long enough to "pair it with an auto-destruct policy - fail eight times to enter the right password and it deletes the data on the phone - to be sure your data will be safe."

To create a tough password that’s not easy for an opportunist or hacker to break, those in the know advocate the use of 15 characters. They’re 90 times more difficult to decipher than 14-character passwords. And you should always use a mix of letters and numbers to make your password a strong one.

Patches are your friend

Mobiles, like PCS, need regular patching to get rid of any weaknesses that might have popped up after the release of the device. Chief Technology Officer for security firm Lookout, Kevin Mahaffey, advises that users always accept updates.

"When you are prompted on Android, update," he says. These updates are there to keep you and your data safe. "For iPhone users, it's a bit more complex. You need to plug in and update your apps," he added.

Say no to shady apps

Steer clear of malicious apps, like the DroidDream app that attacked a quarter million Android devices inside a month, by only downloading from trusted app stores. Stick to popular apps to stay safe, and check out those app reviews -  those with a large number of comments and reviews are likely to be safer too.

Forget about jailbreaking

It can be convenient for sure, but there’s a reason mobile security experts warn against ‘jailbreaking’ your phone. Jailbreaking removes the digital-rights management that locks your phone to a certain carrier. The problem with doing that is the bulk of your phone’s security is directly linked to code signing and software sandboxing, and your device’s security can be instantly compromised when you mess with that.

Remember to back-up

Just like we’re always lectured to remember to back up our hard drives, the same is true for you mobile data. Thankfully, today’s smartphones make that easy. Getting into the data back-up habit means you’re far less likely to lose any important data, even in the event of a hack.

"Now that there is over-the-air syncing and updates, it's really easy to restore your phone," cloud security firm Zscaler’s Michael Sutton explains. "If your phone gets taken or the data deleted, it takes 30 minutes and your phone is back to normal."

Is the Mobile Wallet More Important to Retailers than Apps?

 

 

Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay have ushered in a seamless payment system for the 21st century. Mobile payment methods are on the up, and increasing numbers of consumers and merchants are realizing the benefits of mobile wallets.

For businesses of all types, from multinationals to mom-and-pop stores, mobile wallets present a range of solid business advantages, including increased revenue and significantly reduced costs.

Want to find out why the mobile wallet is more important to retailers’ futures than apps? Read on...

Increased revenue and sales

Paying via a mobile payment system is fast - just touch, and go. The result is quicker service, and the ability for more consumers to be served in the same space of time. More customers paying for goods means more revenue for merchants.

Apps are great for helping businesses engage with consumers, showing them products and offering them deals and promos, but buyers don’t have the ability to make a purchase as easily this way as they would if using a mobile wallet.

Using a mobile wallet also allows businesses to sell more products and services during traditionally slower periods. Mobile payment systems mean you can connect with clients and customers wherever they are in the world, so they can check out anywhere, anytime.

Reduced costs

Payment processing fees are one of the largest expenses after labor for many merchants and retailers and food service operators. Secure mobile wallets significantly reduce this cost as well fraud losses.

Apps remain riskier than mobile wallets, with apps being vulnerable to hackers accessing private customer information, including their credit card numbers, addresses and bank account details.

 

Opening businesses up to the world

With more and more of us completing more of our daily tasks and shopping errands on the web, merchants want to get in on this online marketplace. As consumers get used to making purchases on their mobiles, it’s imperative that businesses are there to help make mobile purchases swift, convenient and secure. Today’s mobile-enabled consumer doesn’t have to visit a physical store to profit your business. Reaching out with a rich and interactive experience means attracting customers, wherever they are in the world, to make a purchase via internet-based mobile tech.

 

Presenting a new marketing platform

A recent Forrester Research report predicts that within the next five years mobile wallets will have become a crucial marketing platform. Mobile tech can create real connections with consumers, and mobile brand loyalty is key. Businesses are set to mobilize their branded content and loyalty programs to target consumers with offers and promos in real time.

 

Easy payments

Mobile wallets make purchases simpler. A user only has to enter their information once, then they receive secure PIN numbers via text message that they use to complete the purchase. While some apps require users to re-enter their info for every single transaction, all mobile wallet shoppers need is a simple PIN entry to complete their purchase.

 

Get Started with your own mobile marketing campaign at TellMyCell.com!

5 Mobile Marketing Ideas for Valentine's Day

 

Second only to Christmas in terms of holiday spending, Valentine’s Day isn’t just a special occasion for couples, but for retailers too. Whatever your industry, your marketing strategy can use a little adjusting to take advantage of the surge in spending that happens around the most romantic day of the year.

Recent research carried out by the National Retail Foundation forecasts that Valentine’s spending will grow by 13% over last year, and the bulk of that spending will come via tablets and smartphones, with seasonal special offers and mobile coupons playing a significant part.

Cupid’s arrow could give your sales a love boost this year with a little help from these 5 clever mobile marketing strategies.

 

1) Meet the Last-Minute Man

Anybody out shopping on Christmas Eve can tell you that last-minute spending is something that goes hand in hand with the holidays. Try as we might to plan ahead, life has a habit of getting in the way, and sometimes we just don’t have time to gift shop until the eleventh hour.

 

In 2013, Adobe found that spending on gifts increased steadily through January and early February, then spiked significantly during the last five days before February 14th. Just like Christmas, there’s a notable number or of consumers who leave Valentine’s shopping until the last minute. They’re the ideal target market for last-minute mobile coupons and mobile marketing tactics.

 

2) Make a Microsite

You can really make a splash with your Valentine’s Day message by creating a separate themed microsite or landing page. Don’t worry about using it as a direct sales channel. This is where you need to hand control over to your most creative team members. From themed giveaways and photo competitions to Valentine’s Day quizzes reward visitors with the chance to win prizes, like a romantic vacation getaway.

 

The value of having a dedicated holiday microsite is huge. It’s also a great way to show you’re really serious about the Valentine’s offers you’re making, while making the most of design elements to impress new customers.

 

3) Couples’ Discounts

Valentine’s Day is about couples getting together, so it lends itself perfectly to two-for-one or ‘bring a partner’ offers. Incorporating two-for-one offers into Valentine’s-themed mobile coupons is an easy mobile marketing strategy with the power to drive traffic to any business.

4) Let Passion Fuel your Marketing

Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to inject some passion and originality into your marketing. Brainstorm some fresh ideas to kick of the year, and encourage audience engagement. A Valentine’s app, social media campaign, or Valentine’s gift tips a la Tiffany’s Concierge of Love service can make an impact and drive sales, clicks and shares.

 

5) Put Social Media at the Heart of your Campaign

 

Your social media channels - Facebook and Instagram especially - are visual, and February 14th offers up a whole world of romantic imagery you can use to overhaul your social media presence. A simple change of background, a themed reworking of your logo, or some humorous and shareworthy posts can help you connect with the holiday spirit and attract attention.

 

Power your Valentine's Day marketing campaign with a mass texting program at TellMyCell!