Dear PropellerHeads: I just upgraded to my first smartphone. I now realize that if the phone is stolen, I have a pretty serious security threat because of all my personal information. What should I do?
A:
Then, keep reading.
Some real risks exist with today’s smartphones.
In the past, all you had was your call list.
Today, in order to make the phones as convenient as they are, you are encouraged to store credentials for dozens of authenticated services.
Once you fully configure your iPhone, Android, or Win 7 phone, your entire life is stored in your 6-inch device.
The good news is that there are several things you can do to minimize potential loss or threat.
First, if you think you are likely to misplace your phone or if you hang out in areas where it may be stolen, buy insurance.
Your cellphone store can probably take care of you at purchase time, or you can consider third-party insurers such as ToughCell.com.
Insurance typically covers loss, theft and damage at about $5 a month.
Also, use the security features.
By default, my Android can be awoken (unlocked) with a simple downward finger swipe. My phone conveniently tells you so.
Obviously, that is not very secure.
You should consider more complex swipe gestures (called patterns) or a password.
Some corporate risk management policies require this additional security.
Your smartphone is a computer and therefore should be backed up regularly.
That way, if it is destroyed or needs to be replaced, you can restore much of what was in the phone pretty easily.
I use MyBackup Pro (Reware.com) to schedule automatic backups of my apps and data.
With this $5 app, I back up my stuff on my SD card and also on their online server in the cloud.
If you are a Verizon Wireless customer, the free Verizon Backup Assistant (www.verizonwireless.com/backupassistant) will do the trick.
iPhones have software to back up your phone while connected to your home computer using iTunes.
Unlike myself most of the time, my smartphone knows where it is. With built-in GPS, if your phone wanders off, it can help you find it.
Applications such as Where’s My Droid let you send a text message to your phone so it will ring when it slips behind the couch cushions.
If it wanders farther, the phone can be tracked using its GPS signal and mapped via Google maps.
For the iPhone, MobileMe (Me.com) will do the trick. This really works! Check out the story about the iPhone thief who was done in by GPS.
MobileMe for the iPhone and the Mobile Defense App for Androids have another more drastic security measure. This is basically Armageddon for your phone.
With this service, you can remotely clear your phone contents. Using a text message, you can reset the phone to brand new condition, erasing all of your data and apps.
This is very useful, maybe essential, if someone steals your phone.
Using a buddy’s phone, you simply send a text with a code to your phone and poof, it’s empty!
If you do recover your phone, you can use your backup to restore your installed apps and data files.
You can find the apps I have mentioned here at the iStore or Android Market. In the meantime, watch your back!
Article source: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/business/2011/jan/10/tdmbiz08-ask-the-propellerheads-how-to-keep-your-i-ar-763458/
Category: Cell Phone Security