Is your cell phone like mine?
I have names and addresses of family, friends, co-workers and peers stored in mine. I also have my calendar on it. A Facebook app can be accessed and more information found. My ToDo list is stored on it. Other apps, such as OliveTree Bible Reader, Notes, Twitter all are on there too.
Amazing things can be learned about me from the information and applications that are on my cell phone.
Regardless of your role in life – staff or management, plumber or professor, pastor or teacher – your cell phone contains information about you and your life.
If the phone is lost or stolen, all that information is then available for whomever finds it. So, what’s a guy to do?
- If your phone has remote wipe capabilities, make sure that you know how to use it. Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and iPhone all have the capability of remote wipes. If your phone is lost or stolen, use remote wipe to reset your phone.
- If your phone has the ability to lock, use it. Often this takes the form of a passcode that must be entered before the main screen is displayed. The iPhone and Windows Mobile phones have this ability built-in.
- Take special care when traveling. I’ve been in airports and seen cell phones left behind by hurried travelers. Several years ago, we had an employees leave his smartphone in a taxi. He had been in a hurry to make a meeting and wasn’t paying attention.
What things can be learned or inferred about you and your organization just from the information on your cell phone? Protect it!
- Dan
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a good post that hopefully raises awareness with those of us who use our cell phones with little thought of the sensitivity of the data stored on it.
There are a couple of other points you might want to add to your list.
4. Change your default Bluetooth pass code, and turn off Bluetooth until you need to use it. It’s too easy for people to access your phone and data on it.
5. Do not store passwords to web sites on your phone, especially in your phone’s browser. You don’t want people to gain access to your bank account.
Becki- valid additions…I hope to write more about Bluetooth issues and security in a few weeks.