Steps to Keep Your Mobile Data Secure

One day you reach into your pocket and realize that your mobile device (with all your business data on it) is missing. You aren't sure if you lost it, or if it was stolen. 

This situation is far too familiar and with the increasing utilization of personal devices for work, it has resulted in too many businesses becoming vulnerable to threats. Luckily there are steps to limit the damage if your devices are ever stolen or lost.

1. Remove all Financial Permissions to the Device
One of the largest advantages of mobile and online banking and finance management is the security that financial institutions impose before allowing access. Nevertheless, many of the security measures are easily avoided by a user and their device’s password management. If a device is stolen, there’s a good chance that the thief will still be permitted to access many online accounts and make purchases on your (or your company’s) tab if password management is activated.

If your online accounts display signs of unauthorized use, call the bank or lender ASAP and explain the situation. They should have a fraud department whose purpose it is to handle exactly this type of situation, and they will most likely refund the lost money. You should still babysit your finances, however, as the bank might not pay close attention to smaller transactions.

2. Delete ALL Passwords
Yes, Delete ALL passwords. Whether it was a mobile device or a laptop that was pilfered, you need to access all accounts as soon as possible and change every single password. On a second device, log into your browser and access any password manager you may be utilizing, including the browser’s native capabilities or a utility like LastPass. This is irritating, but necessary: you need to systematically go through and delete every password from the password manager, uninstalling it. You also need to go to every site you have an account with and change your credentials to it.

3. Ensure Browser Sync is Deactivated
If you utilize a browser like Chrome or Firefox across multiple devices, you need to disable it prior to changing your passwords and credentials. Otherwise, any of your changes will automatically transfer over to the stolen device, rendering any of your efforts to block access moot. Thus, once you’ve deleted the password for each account you have, turn off syncing. In Chrome, you can do this by accessing Settings > Advanced sync settings > Choose what to sync. Deselect everything and set a new password to encrypt your synced data. Then you are secure to begin the password resetting process.

Secondary Measures
When it comes to locating a device that has been pilfered, there are a few ways to make it easier to recover afterwards.

Note Your Serial Numbers
One of the hardest aspects of recovering a stolen laptop (or other device) that the police have recovered is proving that it is in fact yours. Still, if you keep a record of all of your devices and their serial numbers, you will be ready to stake a claim to your devices once they are recovered.

To locate your device’s identifying information, access Control Panel > System and Security > See the name of this computer. From there, take a screenshot that you can keep for your records.

You can also take pictures of the device, recording any identifying features and the like that could help to confirm that it is your property.

Ensure Your Data Backup Stays Updated
Alas, many thieves are aware that it makes more sense to wipe a stolen computer ASAP; it makes it that much harder to find. Also, many thieves will use a secondhand shop as an unwitting 'fence' to get rid of the hot device. These stores also will wipe the device before selling it. While this is good for your data security, it isn’t good for your data continuity… unless you’ve taken precautions and have maintained a data backup. Having a data backup means that, even if the thief wipes your valuable data, you haven’t lost the most valuable part of the device.

If your organization finds itself in one of these positions, and you need assistance with any of these steps, we can help. Reach out to Macro Systems today at 703-359-9211.