Keeping your smartphones, tablets & other devices safe in 2023

5 quick tips that can help keep your business mobile devices (and the information stored on them) secure.

Tip 1:

Don’t connect to unknown Wi-Fi Hotspots

When you use public Wi-Fi hotspots (for example in hotels or coffee shops), there is no way to easily find out who controls the hotspot, or to prove that it belongs to who you think it does. If you connect to these hotspots, somebody else could access:

• what you’re working on whilst connected
• your private login details that many apps and web services maintain whilst you’re logged on

The simplest precaution is not to connect to the Internet using unknown hotspots, and instead use your mobile network, which will have built-in security. If you need information regarding Mobile Broadband connections, click on the link.

Tip 2:

Make sure lost or stolen devices can be tracked, locked or wiped

Staff are more likely to have their tablets or phones stolen (or lose them) when they are away from the office or home. Fortunately, the majority of devices include free web-based tools that are invaluable should you lose your device. You can use them to:

• track the location of a device
• remotely lock access to the device (to prevent anyone else using it)
• remotely erase the data stored on the device
• retrieve a backup of data stored on the device
Setting up these tools on all your organisation’s devices and using mobile device management software, you can set up your devices to a standard configuration with a single click.

Tip 3

Keep your device up to date

No matter what phones or tablets your organisation is using, it is important that they are kept up to date at all times. All manufacturers (for example Windows, Android, iOS) release regular updates that contain critical security updates to keep the device protected.

Tip 4

Keep your apps up to date

Just like the operating systems on your organisation’s devices, all the applications that you have installed should also be updated regularly with patches from the software developers. These updates will not only add new features, but they will also patch any security holes that have been discovered.

Tip 5

Switch on password protection

A suitably complex PIN or password (opposed to a simple one that can be easily guessed or gleaned from your social media profiles) will prevent the average criminal from accessing your phone. Many devices now include fingerprint or facial recognition to lock your device, without the need for a password. However, these features are not always enabled ‘out of the box’, so you should always check they have been switched on.

For more free cyber security business guides, follow us on LinkedIn.  If you need further business IT support, call us today.