One Step Ahead: Mobile Device Security: 5 Easy Steps to Secure Your Device |
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November 4, 2014, Volume 61, No. 12 |
Another tip in a series provided by the
Offices of Information Systems & Computing and Audit, Compliance & Privacy
In 2013, nearly 5 million devices were reported as either lost or stolen in the US. What’s even more shocking is that less than 60% of mobile device users take basic steps toward protecting data stored on their devices, such as setting a passcode. By taking the right steps, a device can be protected in just a matter of minutes. Many of the features below can be enabled in the Settings App. Alternatively, have many of the settings enabled by letting Penn “manage” your device with ActiveSync. Ask your Local Support Provider for more details about that service.
1. Enable a PIN or Password: At a minimum, set a four digit passcode to access your device. 80% of lost phones show signs of snooping by the person that found them —and not just the owner’s contacts, but files and emails too. If you have an iPhone with a TouchID, enroll a fingerprint for easier access and set a longer PIN for more security.
2. Passcode Lock: Automatically lock the device and require the PIN to be re-entered after a maximum of 30 minutes of inactivity.
3. Auto-wipe: After 10 failed passcode entries, the device should “wipe” (erase) all of the contained data.
4. Enable Tracking and Remote Wipe: Whether iOS or Android, there are tools to assist with device recovery and data security. If using an iPhone or iPad, open the Settings App and navigate to ‘iCloud’ to turn on ‘Find my iPhone’. On Android devices, look for the ‘Google Settings’ app and enable both options under ‘Android Device Manager’.
5. Back up: If you have any data stored only on your mobile device, such as photos or other media, use a cloud solution to create a backup.
For more tips for securing your mobile device see: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/security/checklists/Top10/Top_10_Tips_for_Smartphones.php
For Mobile App recommendations see:
https://secure.www.upenn.edu/computing/resources/category/mobile/article/recommended-mobile-applications
For additional tips, see the One Step Ahead link on the Information Security website: www.upenn.edu/computing/security/
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