[Mobilepartners] Smartphone Security Recommendations

[Matthew D Sullivan]

Good Afternoon,

Do you have an iPhone/iPad, Android, or BlackBerry device? Are you using a device PIN or password? Are you aware you can remotely wipe your device in the chance that it's lost or stolen?

Setting a device PIN or password on your device can greatly decrease the chances of someone getting ahold of your personal information on your smartphone if lost of stolen. A 4-digit, non-consecutive numbered PIN code is a great step in keeping your information private. Some may view setting a PIN/password on their smartphone as an inconvenience, however, you can mitigate this to a degree by increasing the idle-time lockout; we recommend no more than 15 minutes.

In hopes of reinforcing some best practices, we've compiled some platform-specific information regarding setting a device PIN/password and instructions on how to remotely wipe and disable your device if lost or stolen. This information can be found below.

iPhone Users:
http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/ZQdS

iPad Users:
http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/g4Rh

Android Users:
http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/hAdS

BlackBerry Users:
http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/dQdS

Additional smartphone security recommendations:

1) Make sure your smartphone is running the latest operating system available and is regularly backed up.

 *   iPhone and iPad users should use iTunes to check for updates, backups, and restores. If you need assistance, please read Apple's Support Article: HT1414<http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1414>
 *   Android users will receive their updates over-the-air (OTA) from their carriers. To verify the latest OS version, please check your carrier's support website. Software backups on Android devices is dependent on whether or not the manufacturer has supplied the software, we recommend checking the device manufacturer's website.
 *   BlackBerry users can use either BlackBerry Desktop Manager (PC/Mac)<http://us.blackberry.com/apps-software/desktop/> or Wireless Update on their BlackBerry (model version dependent). To access the wireless update feature, on your BlackBerry, go to Options > Advanced Options > Wireless Update.

2) Avoid storing personally identifiable information (PII) on your smartphone. PII includes, but not limited too, social security numbers, ID numbers, account numbers, and otherwise information that someone could use to steal your identity.
3) Do not store web or application passwords with smartphone auto-save features. For example, on the iPhone, you can turn off AutoFill by going to Settings > Safari > AutoFill.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please contact us at mobile-help at mit.edu<mailto:mobile-help at mit.edu>.

Best,
Matt

........................................
Matthew Sullivan
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
IS&T | Help Desk | Mobile Devices Team
P: 617-324-1837
E: irishman at mit.edu<mailto:irishman at mit.edu>

<mailto:irishman at mit.edu>Mobile Question? Check the Mobile Ninja!<http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/XQdS>

______________________________________
IMPORTANT: IS&T IT Staff will never ask for your password, nor will MIT send email requesting your password information. Please ignore email messages that request this information.

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