[imagesource:here]

These days, we carry almost all of the most important parts of ourselves on our phones.

There’s our personal data, photos of our pets and kids (and other things), banking details, notes on self-improvement, work documents, medication scripts, tickets to shows, a Google history of that embarrassing medical condition that has popped up, and the laundry list goes on…

It’s stuff you would really rather keep away from prying eyes and shifty fingers.

Sure a lock screen is somewhat good enough, but you’d be a fool to think that you’re staying one step ahead of a person with a criminal mind.

That’s why setting up another barrier to thwart access to your precious information is critical.

A secure folder is your next best bet. It’s an easy way to protect your most important files with an authentication method such as a PIN code or a recognised fingerprint before it will open up, per WIRED.

Android and iOS have options built-in, with additional third-party apps to turn to if you want to set up a proper secure folder of some sort on your smartphone.

This is how to set a secure folder up on an iPhone

The next iOS update is set to implement a password protection feature for your hidden and deleted folders, but that’s just for images and videos.

As we all know, touchy information comes in varying forms.

Another option is to use the Notes app, which lets you lock individual notes with text, images, and videos stored there:

First, go to Settings on iOS, then choose Notes and Password to set a password specifically for the Notes app. Once that’s done, you can lock a note and put it behind the password you’ve configured by opening the note, tapping the three dots at the top, then choosing Lock.

This is how to set a secure folder up on an Android

Mid-range or premium Samsung Galaxy handsets have a Secure Folder feature built-in by default:

 To enable it, go to Settings and choose Biometrics and Security, then Secure Folder: You’ll be prompted to create a Samsung account or sign into an existing one, and then you’ll be able to choose your lock method. You can protect the folder with a pattern, PIN, password, or fingerprint scan.

The Secure Folder appears on the home screen by default, though you can hide it through the same Secure Folder menu in Settings—no one else will be able to get into that folder without the login method you’ve specified. When you’re in the Secure Folder, you can add files by tapping the + (plus) button.

If you use Google Photos, there’s also a security feature built-in:

From the app, pick Library, Utilities, then Get Started under Locked Folder. Follow the instructions, which will involve entering your screen lock code.

Images and videos in the Locked Folder won’t show up in searches or on other screens, and aren’t backed up to the cloud. You can send files straight there from the Google Camera app (gallery icon top right, then Locked Folder) or from the photo gallery in Google Photos (select your items, tap More, then Move to Locked Folder).

If that’s not enough, any phone user can make use of OneDrive. It has a Personal Vault section that comes with another layer of security on top.

So even if someone gets into the OneDrive app, they won’t be able to access that folder in particular without extra authentication.

If push really comes to shove, there’s always the old-school method of writing secret notes in fade-away ink or keeping things in boxes disguised as books.

I am not a child, you are.

[source:wired]