Mobile devices and smartphones have become commonplace, and not only does this bring new possibilities, but new challenges as well. One of the biggest is data security, the importance of which becomes clear as the amount of data increases and devices are being used in various new ways. Although the importance of technical data security can obviously not be denied, a large part of data security depends on the user's own actions. The best practical security advice for smartphones has been collected into this guide.
The list is not intended to be a catch-all guide on data security, but rather an easy-to-read checklist of things you should not leave without attention.
Quick help
You are the crucial link in mobile security
- Take care of your mobile phone
- Take care of security settings
- Use your phone carefully
- Act if your mobile gets lost or stolen
- Watch out for malware and viruses
Read Detailed help tab for more instructions
Detailed help
Take care of your mobile phone
- Always keep your mobile phone with you when possible. Do not leave it unattended in public spaces, in your car or even in your office.
- If you must leave your phone unattended, leave it in a place where strangers have no access to it. Also take care that your phone has a PIN code and a lock code set up and that the phone is switched off on these occasions.
Take care of security settings
- Set a PIN code and a lock code on your phone.
- Set your phone to automatically lock if the SIM card is changed or the phone is not used for a few minutes.
- Most of the phones allow you to set up remote locking. Turn this setting on in case of theft or disappearance of the phone.
Use your phone carefully
- Pay attention to what you say on the phone in a public place.
- Avoid typing sensitive messages or e-mails in public places. Avoid typing passwords in public places; the password can be spied over your shoulder by looking either at the screen of your phone or the keys which you press while typing.
- Avoid saving passwords on your mobile phone. Since it is easy to not heed this advice, based on easy usability, this would be a very good time to start taking the settings in point 2. seriously and secure your phone accordingly.
Lost or stolen mobile
- If You lose your work phone you must report the loss without delay to the Telephone Services +358 2941 24444.
- Outside working hours to Elisa technical customer support +358 10 80 4400.
- Also contact the University telephone exchange, which will cancel the subscription temporarily and order a new SIM card.
- If you had stored your University username and/or password in the phone to access your email, for example, change the password immediately. Assistance is available from the IT Helpdesk (tel. +358 2941 55555).
- It is also worth noting that thefts are always reported to the police.
Watch out for malware and viruses
- Do not open suspicious e-mails or the attachments that come with them.
- Do not keep your Bluetooth connection enabled when you are not using it. Viruses and malware are easily spread through Bluetooth connection.
- Do not use your phone's removable memory card in other devices if you cannot guarantee they are secure. The devices may have programs which attempt to pry data from the memory card and misuse it. In addition, they might set up malware on the memory card, which runs on your phone without your knowledge.
- Do not connect your phone to other devices with a USB cable or Bluetooth if you cannot guarantee that they are secure.
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