I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf ofMom Central Consulting(#MC) for Sprint. I received product samples to facilitate my review.

Mobile phones were once used simply as a means to communicate, but today they carry peoples’ most sensitive information, like banking credentials, photos and contacts. As we are learning when we have hacks like the one at Target, all of our information is interconnected among our credit cards and among our devices. Did you know that only 44 percent of people set a PIN or passcode on their mobile phone (according a survey Sprint did)? You don't want everybody getting into this LG G2 Smartphone!

TheLG G2 Smartphone is a pretty awesome phone with tons of really cool features. First, there is theKnockON feature. Instead of hitting a power button, simply tap twice on the display to wake the G2 from its sleep. It's a nice convenience that goes hand-in-hand with Answer Me, which automatically answers calls when you put the phone to your ear. (Answer Me is another brilliant feature. I can't tell you how many times Bill and I go back and forth going “hello” before this phone because other phones seem to cut that off when you answer. With it automagically answering for you, it seems to have solved that issue). There is also the Slide Aside feature. This allows you to do a three-finger gesture to “slide” open apps off the screen for multitasking. The Guest Mode is pretty sweet too. This is otherwise known as ‘Kid Mode,’ which allows another user to access the phone by drawing a different gesture on the lock screen with a secondary unlock pattern. Now more of your kids deleting all the apps you actually wanted on your phone or moving them around so you can't find them. To be honest, this is one of those feature that make me wonder why nobody's come up with this before now. Another feature (which I think is my favorite) is the Quick Remote. Can I tell you how much I love that I can control my TV with my phone. I can also control my DVD player too. Seriously, coolest thing ever.

LG G2 Smartphone comes with a 13-megapixel Full HD camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), giving users the ability to capture crystal clear images while in motion. You can see bright whites and true colors on an expansive, near edge-to-edge screen. You will be able to capture sharp, detailed photos and high-definition videos too. It also comes with a long lasting battery. Another feature we found was pretty cool was that there aren't side buttons. Not a biggyfor most people, but I live with a lefty. It's helpful when a phone works well for both righties and lefties in my house!

I think this is a pretty great phone.

If you get this phone or any others this holiday season, I did want to pass along some tips for smarter smartphoneusage:

• Set a PIN or passcode. It’s the first line of defense to keep private information private if a phone is lost or stolen.
• Don’t lose it. Tuck away a smartphone in a zipped pocket or bag when walking in public places.
• Practice safe surfing. Take extra care when browsing websites or clicking on links from a mobile device – the small screen size makes it especially tricky to determine a safe link from a fraudulent one.
• Be cautious when downloading apps. To minimize the risk of picking up a malicious application, only download from official apps stores, read app reviews, and check the developer reputation before installation.
• Keep it safe. Download an app likeLookoutto help locate a lost phone, or lock & wipe the data if it cannot be recovered.

These insights come on the heels of a partnership between Sprint and Lookout to bring mobile security to more consumers. Lookout is now offered on select Android™-powered Sprint devices, in store and online, making mobile security more accessible than ever.Download the Lookout appfor Android-powered smartphones from Google Play or directly from your Sprint Android device.

Have a safe Christmas this coming up week!