Don’t Lose Track of Mobile Devices

By Stephanie Jordan
in

According to a survey of New York taxicab drivers, November culminates a year-long build up of forgotten phones, laptops and USB sticks in the back of cabs. The survey, organized by Credant Technologies, Inc., a provider of endpoint data protection solutions, reveals that New Yorkers forget on average around 5,000 mobile phones a month in the back of taxis, and more than 500 other handheld devices, including iPods, laptops and memory sticks, every month.

“Back in the good old days when a Window was something you looked out of, and a Mac was something you wore in the rain, it used to be small items like brollies and briefcases stuffed full of boring office papers. Now it’s laptops, smartphone’s and thumb drives, all chock-full of valuable information to an identity thief,” observes Sean Glynn, vice president of Credant Technologies.

The company offers a few basic reminders to end-users to ensure a lost laptop, mobile phone, smartphone or other mobile device will not also mean the loss of personal and corporate identity.

  • Back-up your mobile device regularly.
  • If you have important and sensitive company data on your mobile device ask your IT department to encrypt it.
  • Use a strong password, which combine numbers, letters and symbols, on all devices.
  • Put your name and number with details of a reward on your device if found and returned.
  • Be sure to use your devices security features—such as the Personal Identification Number (PIN) number, which only you know—to stop others from obtaining access.
  • Use common sense. Do not keep data on your laptop or mobile phone that others could use against you—such as revealing pictures.
  • Don’t save old SMS or emails on your handset that you don’t need anymore. You’d be surprised how many people keep their default password emails on their mobiles and other hugely sensitive information like PINs, bank account details or passwords.
  • Check your message folders such as drafts, saved and outbox, as there will be lots of information you just don’t need to keep there. Look at your call list and delete any numbers you no longer need.
  • Physically mark your handset with personal information. This will greatly reduce the second-hand value of the mobile should it be stolen.
  • Record your IMEI: Every mobile phone has a unique 15-digit electronic serial number that can be referenced by dialing *#06#.
  • Notify your network carrier AND the police immediately in the event of loss or theft. Tell them your IMEI number and any other identifying features on your phone. If the device contains company data—emails, customer or employee records, documents, etc.—inform your employer also. Your company may be required to inform the appropriate authorities of a potential data breach.
  • Don’t leave your device open to access (e.g. leaving Bluetooth or WiFi on, visible and unsecured).

Glynn adds, “If you don’t want to worry about the consequences of losing your mobile—with all those embarrassing text messages and pictures—or laptop with valuable personal and company information—then protect that data using encryption and/or passwords. The technology is available, so why not use it?”

Published November 19, 2009