Your Phone Knows Everything About You. Here’s How to Protect It

Think about how much of your life lives on your phone. Your messages. Your photos. Your bank details. Your socials. Your emails. Your passwords. Your location. Probably an alarming number of screenshots you’ll never look at again.

Basically, your phone knows a lot about you. Which is great when it remembers your Deliveroo order, slightly less great when someone else gets access to it.

The good news? There are some pretty simple things you can do to make your digital life more secure — and there’s extra support available if something does go wrong.

Start with the basics

First up, make sure your phone is protected with a passcode, PIN or biometric security such as Face ID or a fingerprint.

And we mean a proper passcode. Maybe avoid using your birthday, 1234 or the same four digits you’ve been using since you got your first Nokia.

It’s also worth keeping your phone and apps updated. Those updates aren’t just about giving you a new emoji or moving a button somewhere completely unexpected. They often include important security fixes too.

Get serious about your passwords

If your password is still your pet’s name followed by your birth year, we need to talk.

Using strong, unique passwords for important accounts makes it much harder for someone to gain access to multiple parts of your digital life if one account is compromised.

A password manager can also do the remembering for you - because apparently we’re expected to have 47 different passwords now.

And where you can, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). It adds another layer of protection by asking for an additional form of verification when you log in.

Watch out for scams

Scammers are getting increasingly convincing. Phishing emails, fake delivery texts, dodgy DMs and messages pretending to be from banks or friends can all look surprisingly legitimate.

Before clicking a link or handing over personal information, take a second to check who it’s actually from. If something feels rushed, threatening or just a little bit off, stop and think before you act.

Your bank probably doesn't need you to urgently buy 14 gift cards because there's been a 'security issue'.

But what if something does happen?

Even if you’re careful, there are some things you simply can’t control.

Your personal information could be exposed in a data breach. Your accounts could be compromised. You could fall victim to online fraud or cyber bullying. And sorting out what happens next can be stressful, time-consuming and potentially expensive.

That’s where Trafalgar Risk Management’s Personal Cyber insurance comes in.

Available to TOTUM members from just £1.12 per month*, Personal Cyber provides up to £10,000 of protection across up to 10 devices*, helping protect your household, whether that means mum at home, a daughter at university, or the whole family.

And it’s not just about having insurance cover. You also get access to practical support when you need it.

Help when you need it

Cyber incidents don't exactly stick to office hours, which is why Personal Cyber includes a 24/7 Cyber Support Hotline.

Whether you're at home or abroad, if you've been involved in a cyber incident, the support team is available to help.

There’s also a Digital Risk Platform, where you can assess how safe you are online, monitor potential threats and take steps to reduce your digital risk.

And if the worst happens, Claims Assistance is there to support you following a personal cyber incident, including situations involving identity fraud, cyber bullying or a digital emergency. The team can provide support with claims for reimbursement of eligible financial losses.*

Protect your whole household

You don't need to become a cybersecurity expert or start wearing a tinfoil hat every time you open Instagram.

A few sensible habits - strong passwords, 2FA, keeping your devices updated and being cautious with unexpected messages - can go a long way.

But having some extra support in your corner can provide another layer of reassurance.

With Trafalgar Risk Management Personal Cyber insurance, you can protect your whole household from just £1.12 per month*, with cover for up to 10 devices and up to £10,000* of protection.

Because your phone might know everything about you. It’s probably worth making sure the wrong people don’t.

*Terms, conditions, eligibility criteria, exclusions and excesses apply. Please check the full policy details before purchasing to understand the cover provided, including applicable limitations and the circumstances in which claims may be made or financial losses reimbursed. Policy fee is paid annually.