By Jackson Godwin. Cybersecurity Analyst & Penetration Tester
The Final Security Checks We Made
By the time we finished reviewing my parents’ phones, they had already fixed several important security issues.
But there were still a few more things I wanted them to check.
These final steps didn’t require any expensive software or advanced technical knowledge.
They simply required a few minutes of attention.
Sometimes, the simplest habits make the biggest difference.
Mistake #6 – “Find My Device” Wasn’t Enabled
I asked my dad a simple question.
“If your phone disappeared today, how would you find it?”
He smiled.
“I would call it.”
That works if the phone is nearby.
But what if it’s stolen?
Or left in a taxi?
Or forgotten at a restaurant?
Many smartphones include features that allow you to:
- Locate a lost device.
- Make it ring.
- Lock it remotely.
- Display a message on the screen.
- Erase personal data if recovery isn’t possible.
These features are incredibly useful—but only if they’re enabled before something goes wrong.
We checked both phones and activated the appropriate “Find My Device” features.
It took just a few minutes, but it could make a huge difference if the phones were ever lost.
Mistake #7 – There Was No Backup
Next, I asked my mum another question.
“If your phone stopped working today, where are all your photos?”
She looked at me.
Then at the phone.
Then back at me.
“On the phone.”
That answer is more common than most people realize.
Many people store years of family memories, contacts, documents, and messages on a single device without any backup.
Phones can be:
- Lost.
- Damaged.
- Stolen.
- Reset.
- Affected by a hardware failure.
Without a backup, recovering that information may not be possible.
We reviewed the backup settings and made sure important data would be backed up regularly.
For my parents, those family photos were priceless.
Protecting them mattered just as much as protecting passwords.
The Smartphone Security Checklist Every Family Should Follow
After helping my parents, I created a simple checklist that I now recommend to friends, relatives, and clients.
At least once or twice a year, check whether your phone has the following:
✅ Install Security Updates
Keep your operating system and apps up to date.
Updates often include fixes for known security vulnerabilities.
✅ Review App Permissions
Only grant permissions that an app genuinely needs.
Review them regularly.
✅ Remove Unused Apps
Delete applications you no longer use or no longer recognize.
A cleaner phone is easier to manage and often more secure.
✅ Use a Strong Screen Lock
Protect your phone with a PIN, password, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
✅ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Whenever available, use MFA for important accounts such as email, banking, and social media.
✅ Turn On “Find My Device”
Enable the feature before your phone is ever lost.
✅ Back Up Important Data
Photos, contacts, and documents are often impossible to replace.
Regular backups provide peace of mind.
What My Parents Taught Me
By the end of the afternoon, something unexpected happened.
My parents thanked me.
Not because I had fixed their phones.
But because I had explained why each setting mattered.
That reminded me of an important lesson.
Cybersecurity isn’t about making people afraid.
It’s about helping people make informed decisions.
When people understand the reason behind a security recommendation, they’re much more likely to follow it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are older people more likely to become victims of cybercrime?
Cybercriminals target people of all ages.
Some scams specifically target older adults, while others focus on students, professionals, or business owners.
The best defense is awareness, regardless of age.
Should I check my parents’ phone without telling them?
No.
Always ask for permission first.
Helping someone improve their phone security should be a collaborative conversation built on trust and respect.
How often should I review my phone’s security settings?
A good habit is to review them every few months or whenever you notice unusual activity, install many new apps, or change devices.
Do I need expensive security software?
Not necessarily.
For many people, keeping their devices updated, using strong passwords, enabling MFA, reviewing app permissions, and practicing safe browsing habits provide significant protection.
Final Thoughts
When I first picked up my mum’s phone, I thought I was going to free up some storage space.
Instead, I discovered an opportunity to improve my parents’ digital security.
The experience reminded me that cybersecurity isn’t only about businesses, hackers, or complex technology.
It’s about people.
It’s about protecting the memories stored in family photos.
It’s about keeping personal conversations private.
It’s about helping loved ones avoid scams that could cost them money, time, or peace of mind.
Tonight, instead of spending another hour scrolling through social media, consider doing something different.
Ask your parents.
Your grandparents.
Or even a close friend.
“Can we spend twenty minutes checking your phone’s security together?”
You might be surprised by what you find.
More importantly, you might prevent a problem before it ever happens.
Because sometimes the best cybersecurity investment isn’t buying new software.
It’s helping someone you care about build safer digital habits.
About the Author
Jackson Godwin is a Cybersecurity Consultant specializing in Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS, Cloud Security, AI Security, and Digital Risk Management.
With years of experience helping organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture, Jackson is passionate about making cybersecurity practical, relatable, and easy to understand for everyone.
Through JacksonTechnology.com.ng, he publishes cybersecurity awareness stories, ethical hacking tutorials, compliance guides, cloud security insights, AI security resources, and practical advice designed to help individuals and businesses stay ahead of modern cyber threats.
His mission is simple:
To educate, empower, and help people build safer digital habits—one article at a time.
