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6 Smart Ways to Secure your Device

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The world has gone mobile. This fact is justified by the increasing use of the smartphone and other mobile devices, with many tech-savvy individuals relying on these gadgets as handy substitutes to laptops and desktop computers.

Considering the many tasks people carry out on their devices include mobile banking and online shopping, among others, the importance of ensuring the security of that device cannot be over-emphasized.

The following tips from the Research and Development Unit of Yudala, Nigeria’s fastest growing e-commerce platform, will help keep your devices secure and less vulnerable to attack from hackers or data compromise in the event of a loss.

Embrace encryption
One of the best ways to safeguard your device is to encrypt your phone storage. Most smartphones have this encryption feature built in, hence your data is seamlessly encrypted even without your notice.
Should your device not have this feature automatically enabled, you can activate it manually. With encryption, all the data in your device including pictures, messages, emails, etc. are scrambled into unreadable form.
In the event that your device gets lost or stolen, unwarranted access to your sensitive data is prevented as your mails, videos, images and other personal information cannot be retrieved or decrypted without the PIN or password you set while encrypting the phone.

Always use a VPN when on public Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is often a source of joy for most smart device users. However, indiscriminate use of open Wi-Fi connections poses substantial security risks especially from lurking, eagle-eyed hackers.
To avoid jeopardizing your personal details, it is advisable to always use VPN when on public Wi-Fi. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network.
Through this, you can access the Internet using a private network while connecting to a public or unsecured Wi-Fi. In other words, a VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection, which can be thought of as a tunnel, between your computer and a server operated by the VPN service.
Applications running across the VPN may therefore benefit from the functionality, security, and management of the private network.
There are several free VPNs you can download and install on your device to provide this extra layer of security.

Never give out your device’s IMEI number
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit serial number given to a device. Every mobile phone, GSM modem or device with a built-in phone or modem has its own unique IMEI number. With this number, you can check some information about the device such as the country of origin, manufacturer/brand or model.
Scammers posing as representatives of telecoms companies have been known to request the IMEI number of phone and other device users.
Please bear in mind that it is unwise to give out your device’s IMEI number. You may just be handing over the vital information required for a potential hacker to clone your device and use it maliciously.

Be app-smart and not app-happy
Many smart device users are often app-happy. They waste no time in downloading every new app they come across without a second thought to the benefits or access to personal information requested by these apps.
To ensure your device is better secured, you must endeavor to be app-smart rather than being app-happy. As a matter of importance, you must make it a habit to read the full detailed description of any app you wish to download.
A significant number of apps request access to some features that may compromise your data such as your phone’s contacts, camera, emails, etc.
In cases such as this and to avoid exposing your details, it is best to search for a less-intrusive alternative. Furthermore, being app-smart means that you download apps only from a trusted source such as AppStore for iOS devices or Google Play for Android.

Software update is key
One of the most essential means of securing your device is through regular software update. This involves keeping the operating system software and various application software current with the latest updates from the manufacturer.
It is important to note that these updates will likely include security improvements too which will make your device more resilient to attacks. 
As a result, you must bear in mind, when making the decision to purchase a phone or mobile device, to choose a model that can be updated throughout the device’s lifespan.

Set up remote wipe on your device
For most smartphone users, this feature is often supported. All you have to do is turn it on. With this functionality, you are protected from compromising your sensitive information as you can easily wipe all data remotely once you lose your device.
Remote wipe occurs as the first thing when the device connects to the internet. Interestingly, through other associated features, you can even take some steps to locating your missing device by either ringing the lost phone, changing the lock screen with a customized message or erasing all your data.


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Treepz Doubles Down on Corporate Mobility in Africa with Launch of a New Website

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Treepz, Africa’s leading corporate mobility startup, has expanded its corporate mobility and employee transportation services across the continent with a fresh new look for its website.

 

The company’s new website boasts a sleek, user-friendly interface with added features to better showcase Treepz’s range of services for companies looking to efficiently and sustainably move employees and clients in major African cities. From on-demand employee shuttles, and school bus solutions to intra-city group trips for events and conferences, Treepz is positioning itself as an all-in-one corporate transportation provider.

Managing transportation logistics across multiple sites has always been an operational nightmare for companies,” said Onyeka Akumah, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Treepz. “Our goal is to streamline that experience through Treepz’s powerful technology platform.”

With nearly 6,000 employees of companies daily relying on Treepz’s innovative tech and reliable fleet for employee transportation or staff bus commutes, we understand the complexities of managing corporate transportation firsthand. “Our revamped website simplifies the process, offering businesses a seamless solution to optimize their transportation needs and empower their workforce in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana,” Onyeka added

Key Features of the New Treepz Website

  • Trackable Dashboard for a bird’s eye view of all guests’ trips in real-time when using Treepz.
  • 24/7 customer support to assist with all mobility inquiries.
  • Wide selection of vehicle options, each with professional drivers tailored to specific needs.
  • Friendly interface for easy navigation and booking.
  • Client testimonials and case studies showcasing Treepz’s success stories.

Treepz’s mission extends beyond just transportation – they aim to revolutionize how over 1 million daily commuters experience mobility across Africa. Since its launch in 2019, the company has provided employee transit for top firms like Tekexperts, Wakanow, Somasource, and Brighter Monday across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. This has resulted in the transportation of about 5 million passengers since then.

With this digital reinvention, Treepz doubles down on transforming corporate mobility through tech-driven solutions. The company welcomes businesses seeking smarter ways to move their people to explore the new website www.treepz.com.


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Nigerian Business Leaders Partner Google for Strategic Advantage, Seeks Competitive Edge in Privacy-First Era

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Leading companies from Nigeria joined Google West Africa at a roundtable to discuss the shift towards privacy-first marketing as third-party cookies are phased out. The forum brought together leaders from FairMoney, Konga, Mondelez, Stanbic IBTC, and Zenith Bank, highlighting a collective commitment to redefining consumer engagement in the digital age.

Businesses recognize that building consumer trust is essential in a world that increasingly values privacy. In this new era, adapting marketing strategies to be more privacy-focused is not just a necessity but a strategic move towards building sustainable customer relations. This transition challenges businesses to innovate while maintaining transparency and respect for consumer data privacy, turning potential constraints into avenues for deeper consumer engagement.

“Customer trust is the new currency,” noted Felicia Otolorin, Senior Industry Lead, West Africa, Google. “Consumers are demanding more control over their data, and the savviest businesses are seeing this shift as an opportunity. This is about reimagining how we engage with technology and data, ensuring that innovation and privacy go hand-in-hand.”

The discussions emphasised this point, highlighting the competitive advantage of adopting privacy-first strategies. Google showcased innovative solutions like Google Tag and Enhanced Conversions. These tools demonstrate a commitment to both high performance and privacy standards. Success stories illustrated how other businesses have successfully navigated this shift, offering valuable insights.

“We stand at a crucial juncture,” remarked Oluwadamilare Akinwunmi, Chief Data & AI Officer at Interswitch. “The winners of tomorrow will be those enterprises that strike a balance between innovative, data-driven marketing and a profound commitment to data protection and privacy-first practices. The essential dialogues we engage in, and the subsequent actions we take, set us on the path to achieve precisely this”

The roundtable underscores a pivotal shift towards privacy-first strategies in Nigeria’s digital marketing sphere, emphasising the critical role of collaboration and innovation in this transition. It marks a collective stride towards a future where consumer trust and data privacy form the cornerstone of business growth and competitive advantage.

“We are committed to empowering Nigerian brands in building a privacy-forward future. By harnessing AI and privacy-centric technologies, we aim to empower our partners to thrive amidst these changes,” stated Felicia Otolorin, Senior Industry Lead, West Africa, Google.


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MTN Nigeria, PAU Open Applications for 3rd Edition of MTN Media Innovation Programme

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MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and the School of Media & Communications, Pan-Atlantic University have announced call for applications from qualified media practitioners to participate in the 3rd edition of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP-3), which will commence on May 20, 2024, at the Main Campus of the Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. 

MTN Nigeria in collaboration with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, launched the Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP) in 2022 to enable media practitioners gain deeper insight into the ever-evolving media landscape.

The six-month, fully-funded certificate fellowship, which includes a study visit to the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and an innovation hub to incubate ideas, is open to media practitioners across all strata of the media industry including the print, electronic and online platforms. The programme is also open to social media content creators.

Speaking on the impact of the programme, Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria said: “The media play a crucial role in shaping the society. It is important that they are enabled with tools and opportunities to do their jobs better as this ultimately benefits the society.

“Our commitment is to continue to empower media practitioners, regardless of platforms, to be able to innovate and create technological-driven solutions to our world. This is what the MTN Media Innovation Programme seeks to accomplish.”

On his part, the Dean School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, stated that the programme brings into play the wide experience that the School has in the training of media practitioners.

In our various programmes targeted at journalists, we at the School of Media and Communication have always laid a lot of emphasis on the importance of creativity, ethics and professionalism.

“The Media Innovation Programme is one more opportunity to drive home these values but with a new emphasis on innovation.

“Journalism remains as important as ever to the society, and it is driven by the same values, but journalists require a retooling to meet the technological changes and challenges of today.

“This is the role that the Media Innovation Programme aims to play, and we are quite happy to be able to partner with MTN to achieve this goal.”

At the end of the training, the 20 successful applicants will qualify as Fellows for the 2024 cohort. The Fellows would be coached on Nigeria’s technology sector, the relationship between media and technology, and equipped with the skills to adapt to the changing realities that guarantee career and financial success in their professional practice.

Fellows will also have access to professional resources and mentorship from PAU’s erudite faculty.

Interested journalists, bloggers and content creators can apply for the Fellowship at https://smc.edu.ng/mtnmip

Applications open on Friday March 23 and close Wednesday April 10, 2024.


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