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- The typical smartphone contains tons of personal information, like credit card numbers, passwords, addresses, and other data.
- Business Insider asked experts how people can make their smartphones more secure.
- Experts recommend steps like using two-factor password authentication and avoiding charging phones in public places.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Smartphone users rely on their devices for just about everything: business, shopping, communication, entertainment, and the list goes on.
According to Pew Research Center, 81% of Americans have a smartphone, and reportedly the average user checks theirs more than 50 times a day.
But despite our reliance on our phones, many of us are not using them safely.
Related: The 11 most sophisticated online scams right now that the average person falls for
Consider the most basic of safety precautions: locking your home screen. According to a 2017 Pew report, nearly 30% of smartphone owners do not use a screen lock or other security features to access their phone.
Lapses like that can make users prey to cybersecurity breaches. To avoid having personal information and passwords stolen, take these 10 safety precautions to make your mobile device more secure.