This article was published in 2012 and updated in October 2026.
Our phones hold passwords, banking apps, photos, messages and health data. If you lose your phone or it gets stolen, all of that could fall into the wrong hands. The apps we recommended in 2012 have mostly disappeared, but today’s smartphones come with much stronger protection — you just need to use it. Here are five apps and features that keep the data on your phone safe.
1. A password manager
A password manager stores all your passwords in an encrypted vault, creates strong, unique passwords for every account and fills them in automatically. Good options include the built-in Apple Passwords app on iPhone (since iOS 18) and Google Password Manager on Android, as well as cross-platform apps such as Bitwarden and 1Password. You can also store notes, card numbers and loyalty or frequent-flyer account numbers securely.
2. Two-factor authentication and passkeys
Even a strong password can be stolen. Turn on two-factor authentication for important accounts — email, banking, social media and your Apple or Google account — using an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Where available, switch to passkeys, which let you sign in with your fingerprint or face and can’t be phished like passwords.
3. Find My and Find My Device
Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find My Device are built into iPhones and Android phones. If your phone goes missing, you can see its location, make it ring, lock it with a message — and, if it’s gone for good, erase it remotely. Make sure the feature is switched on before you need it.
4. Automatic backups
If your phone is lost or broken, a backup means you don’t lose your photos, contacts and chats. Turn on iCloud Backup on iPhone or Google One backup on Android, and check that messaging apps such as WhatsApp back up their chats too. For extra safety, keep a second copy of important photos on a computer or external drive.
5. Screen lock, encryption and updates
Modern iPhones and Android phones encrypt all data on the device automatically — but only a screen lock makes that encryption effective. Use a PIN of at least six digits or a password together with your fingerprint or face, install system updates promptly and only download apps from the official app stores. Features such as Apple’s Stolen Device Protection and Android’s Theft Protection add extra checks if a thief knows your PIN.
Before you sell or give away your phone
In 2012, you needed special apps to securely erase your data. Today, because the phone’s storage is encrypted, a factory reset is enough: it deletes the encryption key and makes the old data unreadable. Sign out of your Apple or Google account first, so the new owner can set up the phone.
Protecting your data is more important than ever — and with these built-in tools and a few good apps, you can keep it both secure and available, even if you lose your cell phone.
Amit
Feb 18. 2012
Really Nice Share Andrew. We should follow this rule to secure our on-line presence. Thanks for sharing.
Atish
Feb 19. 2012
data is the most important thing of our online business and protecting it is very important task. thanks for the post about protection of data. thank you very very much.
Dan
Feb 19. 2012
Like you said backing up and securing your data is vital and most people do not do this. I use DataVault to store all my passwords and this app works well.
admin
Feb 19. 2012
Good to know that …
PrIyAnGsHu
Feb 19. 2012
Great post Andrew ! Data protection has nowadays become very much important as hacking is spreading at a rapid pace these days !
Suraj
Feb 19. 2012
Hi,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful article. It helped me gain a lot of info.
Paul
Feb 19. 2012
I use LastPass to store all my accounts. I love this application because I can use it on my mobile phone and any web browser that I use on either my laptop or desktop. It is such a versatile application, and very secure.
admin
Feb 20. 2012
Thanks for adding up another useful app to the list Paul …
Becca
Feb 20. 2012
I know from experience the importance of backing up. It is important to use apps or software to protect our every valuable data.
Abhisek
Feb 20. 2012
Nice Share 🙂 I was quite aware of these Apps but BURPsync is a new to me. Thanks for it!
Steve
Feb 20. 2012
I’m using Personal Data Erase Pro to protect my data from the mobile and I can say that I’m conpletely satisfied with it. I feel my data are safe from hacking.
admin
Feb 20. 2012
Good to know that ….
Mohsin
Feb 20. 2012
Some months ago my website was hacked and guess what i had no backup at that time and that was the worst day in my whole blogging life.
BillHollins
Feb 23. 2012
Yeah, I have a daily backup for just that reason. Disasters are inevitable, after all.
Prithvi
Feb 21. 2012
Nice review buddy…
I was looking for something of this kind since a bit of time and today i got it. This was a really nice post having what all i was searching for. Thanks for sharing and keep up writing the good content. 🙂
Haris
Feb 22. 2012
I was not aware about WaveSecure, BURPsync applications. I am happy to see other alternatives to protect data. I usually take backups on other HDs or on DVDs periodically.
Ahsan
Mar 02. 2012
Now a days a blogger saves lots of data in net. But he faces trouble when the data hijacked or opened to all. I have never heard any of these apps. But as you said I need to use them from now on.
admin
Mar 02. 2012
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Ahsan …
Maintec
Mar 14. 2012
Hi Andrew, I own an iPhone & I can see how I can use these!! Thank you for your researches! You make our life so much easier! I subscribed rss feed for your blog and follow all your posts. Thank You
admin
Mar 14. 2012
Thanks for stopping by !
RanchiHotels
Mar 30. 2012
Nice list of apps.Thank you so much for sharing
Jeremy
Apr 09. 2012
Great list of apps. I reckon these are extremely important for those who have considerably important data. The password storage software are really useful in managing passwords. The data erasers are also a must for data security.
andrewmicky
Apr 19. 2012
Like you said backing up and securing your data is vital and most people do not do this.thanks for sharing information
SrinagarHouseboats
Apr 27. 2012
Greats apps list..Thank you so much for sharing it
Peter
Aug 23. 2012
The most important part of information technology is somewhat ignored- security and protection of data. I hope your apps will help users in getting their data secured.