Smart Ideas for Smartphone Security

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1 Page 1 of Fargo Road, Suite 105 Richmond, Virginia July 2013 Computer Forensics IT Support Security ediscovery Security Apps for your Smartphone Smart Ideas for Smartphone Security by Kara Mueller Primary Help Desk Tech If a stranger were to grab your cell phone right this moment and walk away, what could they do with it? How much damage could be done? Would they be able to access your , personal files, pictures or maybe even sensitive information related to your job? And when you finally realize your phone is missing...what could you do about it?

2 Page 2 of 6 Lookout Mobile Security (for ios and Android) - In addition to allowing you to remotely locate your phone, Lookout backups up contacts, scans every app to ensure its safe before downloading, protects from visiting fraudulent links, and can alert you when your smartphone software is outdated and a security risk. Seal (Android) - Password protect certain apps only with this app. Fans of this app enjoy installing it on tablet computers used by many individuals, such as for families. Big Brother camera (ios) - This app takes a photo of every person who accesses the lock screen of the phone and sends an e -mail to a specified address with the photo, date, time, GPS coordinates, and whether the attempt was successful or not. Articles of Interest 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying & Using Smartphones User Picks: 7 Hot ipad apps for business 7 apps to obsess over the summer The Five Stages of Losing a Smartphone Sadly, theft of mobile devices such as smartphones is on the rise. None of us want to imagine our phone ever being stolen, but misplacing losing your phone in the couch cushions is something I'm sure has happened to most of us at least a few times. While I hope your smartphone is never lost or stolen, taking steps to secure your data now (in case it ever does happen) is crucial! Here are a few ways to safeguard your smartphone and possibly save some headaches in the future. Lock It Up! The number one tip I recommend for safeguarding your smartphone is to activate the lock screen. Once activated, the correct password, pin code, or swipe pattern is required to unlock it. Be sure to set your lock period (the amount of time that passes before the phone requires you to enter the code again) to the shortest possible - immediate is best! For added security: Most devices can be set to only allow a certain amount of incorrect entries of the passcode before the device is reset. This prevents someone from guessing the passcode by trying many combinations. Of course, use caution around young children, who have been known to accidentally wipe devices enabled with this feature while playing with it!

3 Page 3 of 6 Setting up the lock screen on iphone Setting up the lock screen on Android Settings up the lock screen on Windows phone Stay Connected Choose a secure passcode When you're choosing a passcode, it may be tempting to pick something easy to enter, such as 1111, 2222, and similar patterns. Thieves are hoping you'll do just that! Avoid these top 10 most common passcodes: 1234, 0000, 2580, 1111, 5555, 5683, 0852, 2222, 1212, and Access your device remotely What could you do if your phone were lost or stolen? There's an app for that! Use apps to remotely wipe or lock your phone, display a message, show GPS coordinates of your device or play a loud noise to help find it. All iphone users should be using "find my iphone." This wonderful (and free) feature from Apple could be very important in helping to locate a missing iphone (also available for other Apple products, like the ipad and Macbook). It takes a little setup, but can be invaluable - even if you just need to locate your iphone in your home. Here are instructions to set up Find My iphone. Android users have many downloadable app options through Google Play. A few include Find My Phone, Cerberus and Android Lost.

4 Page 4 of 6 Updates! Keeping your smartphone up to date is another important part of ensuring the safety of your device. When security flaws are found within smartphone software, updates are often dispatched to fix these problems. Updates are normally accompanied by a popup message on your screen, but you can always check for new ones under the settings of your device. Backup your data Prevent data loss by backing up the information on your smartphone regularly. The iphone is set by default to create a backup of the phone when it is connected to a computer and synced with itunes. You can also setup icloud backups if your iphone isn't connected to itunes often (here's how) Android phones are set to backup some information to your Google account automatically - certain system settings, contacts, , calendar, and apps. In order to back up other items, such as photos or SMS messages, it's most convenient to use an app that will do the job for you. G Cloud Backup and My Backup Pro are both great options for easy and secure backups.

5 Page 5 of 6 Finally... While implementing new security measures on your smartphone (like a passcode lock) are inconvenient, you'll be glad you did if you ever misplace your device. If your smartphone is ever lost or stolen, The International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry at CTIA.org recommends: Report it - to your wireless provider and to the local police Locate it - Using a remote app, locate and lock the device to the thief cannot access your information. DO NOT attempt to recover it on your own! Erase it - If you don't believe it will be returned. This resets your phone to its default and removes all personal information. Seltek x13 [email protected] Fargo Road Suite 105 Richmond, VA Copyright All Rights Reserved. Forward this This was sent to [email protected] by [email protected] Update Profile/ Address Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe Privacy Policy.

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