On January 20, Kevin Swartz and Katie Strzempka hosted a webinar to discuss five things every user can and should do to improve their device’s security. The first four tips include the SCAN principle of mobile security:
- S – settings. It is important to keep your mobile device running on the latest OS in order to have all the latest bug fixes and patches. However, Katie made sure to point out that it’s also a good idea to check out user reviews of the new version of an OS before upgrading to be aware of any user interface challenges ahead of time.
- C – configuration. Make sure your phone has, at minimum, a PIN lock. A passcode is better, and an alphanumeric code is the best. You’ll also get Kevin’s and Katie’s take on rooting or jailbreaking a phone while keeping your information safe.
- A – apps. Setting a session timeout for apps is a great security precaution to take. We recommend that you enable session timeouts.
- N – network. Avoiding connecting to insecure bluetooth or wifi networks is essential. Remember, password-protected does not automatically mean safe!