Tips for protecting your mobile office

For many of us vacation season is not over and being separate from their PC or smartphone is unthinkable. But traveling abroad with valuable hardware and getting connected outside firewalls and in different environments poses risks. Here are a few tips to think about when you are on the move.

Making sure you’ve packed your suitcase (and then usually removing half of what you’ve packed) is not enough for the connected traveller — it pays to make advance preparation for your trip in security matters too.

If you are travelling with a PC, never carry written PINs or passwords. If you are carrying particularly important data, create a last-minute backup and store it somewhere safe. Before you travel, make sure your data security software is up to date. It’s a good idea to strengthen your system/settings before you travel for added security in less secure environments. Enabling screen saver passwords and a privacy screen are also issues you might like to consider.

When physically moving around with your PC keep an extra close eye on your immediate surroundings — in some countries, walking around with an expensive computer bag is generally not a good idea unless you want to be robbed. Keep a close eye on your computer also when passing through security checks at the airport — many a PC has been lost to a thief when attention has been directed elsewhere.

And if the loss of your computer is regrettable think about the loss of valuable data from your company later. One study conducted by the FBI found that more than half of computer crimes were linked to stolen computers that were then used to break into a company’s computer servers later on.

Once safely at your destination, don’t assume that logging in to a WLAN is secure — opening Internet connections can expose your data even if you are paying for the service. Nearly one in two of every Internet access point in hotels and public places are potentially vulnerable to intrusion attempts. The WLAN you are using may well even turn out to be completely bogus — beware!

Mobile security is a must

Most people are happy to leave their computer at home but the mobile phone/PDA smartphone has become such a feature of modern life that leaving it behind is out of the question. Phones are valuable all by themselves with their long lists of contacts. Even the loss of the most basic GSM device will cause you trouble if you haven’t updated your contacts or stored them elsewhere.

You can help to keep your mobile phone safe from thieves and hackers and make it difficult for them by following this advice:

Avoid displaying your phone in public places — especially crowded places such as markets and pop concerts where it could be snatched. If your phone is Bluetooth enabled, by all means use it but in big crowds or events you might want to put it into undiscoverable mode.

If you don’t have mobile antivirus software in your phone, think twice about receiving messages from unknown or even known senders. These might contain a virus or trojan which can render your phone unusable — not an option when you are on holiday. Our advice here is to install a mobile antivirus client in your phone in all instances and save yourself a lot of trouble.

Viruses aside, there have been reported cases from the UK where malicious Bluetooth exploiters in your near vicinity will send a nasty or unsettling message to your phone when you are out in public, for example sitting in public transport. Receiving a message from a complete stranger in your near vicinity who can hide behind the technology he uses is very unnerving. Keep this in mind. And remember, when dining, in bars or at the beach, don’t leave your phone unattended — even for a minute. Thieves are quick.

Also, make sure your security code is a good one — keeping the factory standard setting is an open invitation for a thief to use your phone for those long distance calls and everywhere else. Don’t give them the opportunity — they’ll use it.

A good precaution is putting a security mark on the phone and the battery. If your phone is your own, register it with your network provider. Record your IMEI number and your phone number and keep these in a safe place. Your IMEI number (15 digit serial number) can be accessed by keying *#06# into most phones or by looking behind the battery of your phone. With this code, you can ensure that your phone will be put on a black list and rendered unusable.

If you have absorbed all these tips, you should be in a good condition to enjoy your holiday.

Marie Clark is an analyst relations guru at Rocket Science of Larkspur, Calif.

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Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

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