Protecting transmitted phone data

[Opti]

What do you do to protect / encrypt your smartphone's data?

Are there free Apps or something that allow you to do something with VPN and your phone?
I am asking now because I had semi sketchy characters on my trip to and from the dentist. It is not rush time, which
means the petty thieves may have an easier time of it. Coming back, I realized the non white male asking about when the bus came was likely a regular rider and/or sussing me out for opportunites to steal off me. 

Luckily a white guy came by with his tiny dog and I chatted him up. Sketchy guy moved across the  street to the stop going the other way. Need to learn about Apple tags and make sure I did not miss one. But sketchy guy came across the street to board the bus when it did come. I sat in the front in one of the first few seats. He sat right across for me. I decided to get off one stop early, to do some shopping and hopefully ditch Mr Sketchy.

FWIW, not all sketchy peeps are nonwhite. In the morning it was Mr sketchy white guy in a wheelchair that smokes like its the only thing in his life. He gives off creepy vibe almost immediately.

[moon/Laura]

You do realize that you could have written this entire post WITHOUT calling attention to the sketchy people's skin color? Just.... wow.

[Opti]

Dec 15, 2023 11:52:08 GMT -5 moon/Laura said:

You do realize that you could have written this entire post WITHOUT calling attention to the sketchy people's skin color? Just.... wow.

Yes.

You may not realize that being a white woman on NJ Transit makes me unusual. I am both disliked simply because I exist, often black male bus drivers (few), and looked at as prey by many, mostly nonwhite. 


Life underfunded is a whole different ballgame, Moon. It is not pretty, and you make quick judgements to stay safe.
Last night on some clip show, there was someone pretending to be Jason and the kids just ran and never looked back. One host said something to the effect of 'those kids are using "hood" rules'. Keeping running until you are safe.

[Tiny]

I have some general questions that I couldn't find a quick answer to via the Google.

If you have a passcode (or fingerprint/face recognition) can a run of the mill phone thief quickly get around that security?

I don't do any banking apps or healthcare apps on my phone.    I do have some work apps but they all require a separate login.


Is a phone thief looking for just the phone (and they will sacrifice what was loaded on it when they do a reset so they can resell the phone) or will they really be going after the stuff you have stored on your phone?  

I've never really thought much about this.

[dannylion]

The virus protection I use for my computer also offers a cellphone version, which I use as well.  It has a VPN for both applications.  I use Bitdefender, but I would think other virus protection options would also offer a cellphone version.  There are some free versions of virus protection for computers, so perhaps there are also free versions for cellphones.  

[bean29]

I had the VPN turned on for my new I-phone 15 pro max, but my Toyota app, Facebook, one of my banking apps, kindle and audible did not work. The Apple store told me to turn off the VPN if I do not use public wifi anyways. So I turned it off, and they all work now.

Eta. I use McAfee virus protection. I think it was thru McAfee, but I turned it off in Settings.

[Opti]

Dec 16, 2023 12:34:54 GMT -5 bean29 said:

I had the VPN turned on for my new I-phone 15 pro max, but my Toyota app, Facebook, one of my banking apps, kindle and audible did not work. The Apple store told me to turn off the VPN if I do not use public wifi anyways. So I turned it off, and they all work now.

Eta. I use McAfee virus protection. I think it was thru McAfee, but I turned it off in Settings.

I use McAfee on the laptop. But my laptop and phone are different religions. The laptop is Microsoft Windows 10.

[dannylion]

The app store for whatever type of phone you have likely has a version that would work as well as other options.

[Opti]

Dec 16, 2023 16:56:35 GMT -5 dannylion said:

The app store for whatever type of phone you have likely has a version that would work as well as other options.

I am skeered of Mr. App store as I know it is one of the great ways to scam people now. Put up an app, get some reviews posted, etc.

But I need to learn how to navigate it. On my to do list is NJ Transit's app so I can track the bus when it is significantly late. For the time being I'll just go old school and turn the phone off if I am concerned.

[dannylion]

Since you use McAfee on your computer, you could check the McAfee website where you sign in to see if they offer a cellphone version.  If they do, it is unlikely that there would be more than one version available in the app store, and the logo should look like the one shown on the website.  Apps from well-known services in common use on other platforms are likely to be safer than random apps from companies you never heard of.  

[daisylu]

Dec 15, 2023 11:52:08 GMT -5 moon/Laura said:

You do realize that you could have written this entire post WITHOUT calling attention to the sketchy people's skin color? Just.... wow.

 
I just now cut off a long time friend for posting on FB about a slight at a local restaurant because she chose to "describe the offender as dark complected". Why was that necessary to comment on at all? 

[moon/Laura]

Dec 22, 2023 4:37:54 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Dec 15, 2023 11:52:08 GMT -5 moon/Laura said:

You do realize that you could have written this entire post WITHOUT calling attention to the sketchy people's skin color? Just.... wow.

 
I just now cut off a long time friend for posting on FB about a slight at a local restaurant because she chose to "describe the offender as dark complected". Why was that necessary to comment on at all? 

There are times when it's pertinent info, of course. But this wasn't one of them, even considering this

You may not realize that being a white woman on NJ Transit makes me unusual. I am both disliked simply because I exist, often black male bus drivers (few), and looked at as prey by many, mostly nonwhite.


Life underfunded is a whole different ballgame, Moon. It is not pretty, and you make quick judgements to stay safe.

All of that is valid, but for the purpose of the post, it wasn't at ALL necessary to bring skin color into it. It would read the same even without it. It simply comes across racist. I'm not saying you are racist, but the words could have been chosen better.

[TheOtherMe]

My rural Iowa family is racist as they come.  They do not appreciate when I call them out.  They also do not recognize their privilege.  

I did call out the Toronto couple on their privilege.  They did get the point after I pointed it out.

My sister told me I was crazy to go to the neighborhood where I pick up my pre-cooked food.  Yes, it's in a poorer type neighborhood with old, beautiful buildings but it is not unsafe.