While most people are familiar with basic device security practices such as installing the latest operating system updates on their computers or mobile devices, other security steps may be less obvious. These include locking your computer every time you get up and avoiding leaving your Bluetooth on 24/7. However, there are many other ways to ensure your devices and data remain secure, especially in a business or office setting where protecting data from outside threats and cyber attacks is key.
At AD Solutions, we offer security solutions to protect sensitive data and provide best-in-class network security. Read on to learn more about the five best practices to help keep your devices safe and how you can prevent data loss from your mobile devices, business PCs, and company network.
1. See if someone is secretly getting copies of your emails
Email security is essential when it comes to business accounts. The best way to ensure that others are not getting copies of your emails is to ensure that your inbox and company data is secure. If you notice or suspect any unusual logins, you can follow these steps:
- Login to your email account and then select your account or security settings.
- You will find an option that allows you to view your recent login activity or history. It may be labeled “Security”, “Recent Activity”, or “Login History.”
- Next, you can review the list of recent logins. If you notice any devices that do not belong to you or any logins from a strange location, this is a red flag.
If you are concerned about a login, change your password as soon as you can, and ensure that two-factor authentication is turned on. Also, log all devices out of your account. Finally, consider switching to cloud security when it comes to hosting your inbox. Cloud applications such as Gmail are much more secure than inboxes that utilize on-premises infrastructure, adding an extra layer of protection to your mobile device security.
2. Ensure your printer didn’t get hacked
Did you know that, just like your computer, your printer can also get hacked? Printers are often goldmines of information for hackers, as they usually store copies of the documents that have been printed. Common signs that your printer has been hacked or has come into contact with security threats include:
- Your printer is producing pages you did not initiate.
- Your printer begins printing blank pages or pages containing a bunch of characters.
- Your printer’s settings have changed, and you were not the one to change them.
If you notice any of these signs, unplug your printer. Then, press and hold the Reset button. While holding the Reset button, plug the printer back in and turn it on. After about 20 seconds, the lights on the printer will flash to show that it is reset. Then, take a look at your network security to ensure your printer is not accessible by outside users.
3. Turn off the Hidden location tracker on your iPhone
Many people are not aware of the hidden location tracker on many iPhones. To view many of the GPS tracking settings, you can look through the location settings on your mobile device. You should also access your Significant Locations setting, which exists to provide personalized services such as traffic routing and Photo Memories. To access the Significant Location setting, and turn it off, follow these steps:
- Open your iPhone settings and then select Privacy & Security.
- Select Location Services.
- Scroll until you find System Services.
- Then scroll until you see the Significant Locations option.
- Slide the toggle next to Signification Locations to the left to disable this setting.
Make sure to also review location tracking on your mobile applications and your device security policies to keep your portable devices from being a target for malware and hackers.
4. Wipe your phone if you lose it
The image of a stranger going through your personal photos, videos, apps, and more on your mobile device is enough to make you cringe. If your mobile device is ever lost or missing, you should take certain steps to protect your information. This may include remotely erasing your data and resetting your device.
If you are an iPhone user, you can accomplish this by:
- Open icloud.com/find and go to the Find iPhone feature.
- Select your lost phone and then choose Erase iPhone.
If you are an Android user, you can:
- Go to android.com/find and login into your Google account. Select your lost phone and you will receive information regarding its location.
- Select Enable lock & erase when prompted.
- Select Erase device.
Note that this will completely reset your mobile devices and wipe any and all personal data. Although it may seem like a headache, it’s the best defense against data loss – which can be an even bigger headache.
5. Do not give apps access to your phone’s contact list
Social media companies want to collect your contacts’ birthdays, full names, email addresses, pictures, and more. They often gather this information through apps that have access to the contacts on your mobile device. Thankfully, you can review which apps have access to your contact list and then turn it off.
Locate the permissions menu on your mobile device and review the given permissions for each app, turning off their ability to access your contacts. This can keep your client, customer, and employee contacts more secure and prevent hackers from using them to send malware or compromise the device security of your contacts.
Device Security Solutions
Overall, it’s important that you educate yourself on the best practices to protect your mobile device from hackers. As a technology solutions company. AD Solutions is committed to ensuring that your printing and copying solutions are protected from hackers and those who wish to steal your information. To learn more about our Sharp devices, our security teams, and the steps we take to keep your information safe, contact us today.
