Nowadays we use our phones and tablets for everything; status updates, checking emails, accessing a live-feed of your security cameras, contacting the credit card company after going to Target… Between web browser backlinks, photos and apps connected to credit cards, our devices hold a lot of personal information that some are not aware of. It’s become common knowledge to protect our computers from persistent hack attacks, yet we forget to guard our mobiles from the same dangers. But don’t fret! We’ve compiled a list of safety precautions to help you in your (mobile) search for security:
1. Every phone and tablet is issued a unique identification number per FCC regulations; today this number will either be identified as an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) or MEID (Mobile Equipment ID—a super set of IMEI). Knowing this number will help your service provider blacklist your IMEI/MEID and prevent your device from being used in any capacity if it’s lost or stolen. You can find out your phone’s IMEI by dialing *#06# (star, hash, zero, six, hash) then write it down. However, for iPhone or iPad users, you can look under Settings: scroll down to General and tap on About, towards the bottom you will see MEID with your device-specific 14 digit number listed.
2. Turn Bluetooth off when you aren’t using it to prevent hackers accessing your information.
3. ALWAYS have a password or PIN: They make it more difficult for your phone or tablet to be used if it is lost or stolen. Set a pin and set your device to lock automatically if you haven’t already.
4. Turn GPS off when you’re not using it. Though GPS can be helping in finding directions, it can also be used by others to see where your phone is located. Also, photos taken while GPS is on have latitude and longitude coordinates embedded into their file; these photos will still have this information connected after posted social media sites, and if downloaded by strangers, the coordinates can be used to locate your home and/or places you frequent.
5. Smart phones CAN get viruses and malware. Don’t download content, open email attachments or applications from unknown or unreliable sources on your mobile internet browser and consider installing a reputable anti-malware app.
As a general rule of thumb for web-browsing on all of your devices, always be cautious when using a public or ‘Free WiFi’ access point because it may allow your Internet traffic to be intercepted. Only connect to WiFi networks you trust, and only log on to sites that use ‘https’ in the website URL.
We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about the services we offer and how we can help protect you and your business: http://www.sdasecurity.com/