This document discusses mobile security and privacy issues. It notes that smartphones contain a large amount of personal information and location data but many users are unaware of security risks if their phone is lost or stolen. While businesses struggle to securely manage employee devices, simple solutions for individuals include enabling passcodes and changing privacy settings. The document advocates educating oneself on security options to protect information on mobile devices.

1. Mobile Security and how we take it for granted. By Patrick Vogel Image by Ciccioetneo on flickr

2. Smartphones and other mobile devices have become an integral part of our work and social lives, with 63% of students in 2010 using some sort of handheld device. Source: ECAR Image by rogersmj on flickr

3. These devices have become “remote controls for our lives,” through which we can communicate with friends and colleagues, take and store photos and videos, access social media sites, as well as a whole host of other things, all from the palms of our hands. Image by Public Domain Photos on flickr

4. However, these convenient devices are fraught with numerous security and privacy issues that many users are either not aware of, or choose to ignore. Image by chego101 on flickr

5. We seem to ignore the fact that we are literally carrying all of our personal information around in our pockets. If your Smartphone is misplaced or stolen, it only takes a few clicks or taps of a screen for someone to access your personal e-mails, (naughty) photos, social networking sites (which keep you logged in for convenience), or even banking information. Photo by lululemon athletica on flickr

6. In addition to information that users knowingly put on their Smartphones, both Android phones and iPhones regularly transmit location info back to Google and Apple. On iPhones, a tracking file stores the latitude and longitude of cellphone towers and Wi-Fi access points with which the phone has interacted. Experts may also harvest call logs, map search results from the device’s Google Maps app and logs of what’s been typed into the iPhone’s virtual keyboard from the phone. Source: “Smartphone privacy threats no surprise to security experts”. By Patrick May and Troy Wolverton. Thestar.com, April 27th, 2011. Image by IvyMike on flickr.

7. These devices contain so much personal information, that smartphone forensics experts refer to them as “digital fingerprints.” Source: “Smartphone privacy threats no surprise to security experts”. By Patrick May and Troy Wolverton. Thestar.com, April 27th, 2011. Image by Phixaakh on flickr

8. Despite these risks, only 23% of Smartphone owners use the security software installed on their devices. Source: Trend Micro Inc. survey of 1,016 U.S. smartphone users, June 2009 Image by –JvL- on flickr

9. Most of us wouldn’t dream of operating our Mac or PC without a password and security software, so why doesn’t this caution apply to devices that fit in in the palm of our hand and can be lost in seconds? Photo by D’Arcy Norman on flickr

10. This relaxed attitude towards mobile security has become a major concern for businesses, which are struggling to keep up with the demands of securing these devices. Image by wwarby on flickr

11. The large variety of makes and platforms for Smartphones makes it difficult for companies’ IT consultants to uniformly secure important data on employees’ devices. Image by jurvetson on flickr

12. Another problem is that many employees see their mobile devices as something personal, and not something that IT should control. They see it as something that is “blue and plays music,” not something that needs to be secured. Source: “Smartphones need smart security practices” Mary Brandel, computerworld.com, January 18th, 2010. Image by Yutaka Tsutano on flickr

13. Some companies have tried to combat this problem by purchasing standard Smartphones for their employees. However, even this does not stop workers from having “the company phone in their left pocket, and their personal phone in their right.” Source: “Smartphones need smart security practices” Mary Brandel, computerworld.com, January 18th, 2010. Image by cambodiaforkidsorg on flickr

14. “Indeed, in a recent study of 300 companies in the U.S. and Europe by Good Technology Inc., a vendor of mobile security and management tools, nearly 80% of the respondents reported an increase in the number of employees who wanted to bring their own devices into the workplace in the past six to 12 months, and 28% reported a data breach because of an unauthorized device.” Source: “Smartphones need smart security practices” Mary Brandel, computerworld.com, January 18th, 2010. Image by meddygarnet on flickr

15. Since securing data is the sole responsibility of the company, there are a number of services available which allow businesses to centrally control password management, authentication authorization, strong encryption, inactivity timeout and remote wiping if a device is stolen or lost. Source: “Smartphones need smart security practices” Mary Brandel, computerworld.com, January 18th, 2010. Image by CarbonNYC on flickr

16. A simple solution for individuals looking to keep their information secure is to enable passcode locking on your phone, and SIM card PIN access so that someone who has stolen or found your misplaced phone cannot access its data. Image by .schill on fiickr

17. If you are unhappy or concerned with the way that companies like Apple and Google track their devices locations, make yourself heard by voting with your dollar and purchasing a product from a company that does not invade their user’s privacy. Imabe by bfishadow on flickr

18. You should also be wary of mobile privacy when it comes to encounters with the police. Since Smartphones are such a new technology, there are still not clear laws regarding the legality of cellphone searches. So it is important to be cautious and know your rights. Source: “Smartphone Searches Not So Smart” Popular Mechanics, April 22nd, 2011. Image by swiftmed on flickr

19. If you’re worried about your Smartphone or other mobile device’s security, don’t panic! Image by Nate Steiner on flickr

20. Do some research and find out what your options are for security and privacy. Then you can get back to your love affair with your mobile.