The convenience of mobile devices also comes with
risk. As you check-in, text, share photos, and increasingly run your life on
the go, you may inadvertently expose private information or make yourself more
likely to be a victim of a crime. Here are four things you should be aware of
as you use new mobile and social technology that might spare you expensive or
embarrassing lessons:
1. Beware of
how often you "check in" through social media.
Apps like Foursquare and websites like Facebook allow
you to "check in" when you're out and about in the world, effectively
broadcasting where you are... and where you're not. Be especially sensitive to
checking in from airports and locations far from home. Enterprising thieves can
use this information to target your home or business.
2. Beware of
the photos you're sharing.
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, what are your
pictures on Facebook saying to friends, family, and co-workers? Just like
checking in when you're out of town, vacation photos posted in real time can inadvertently
let people know you're not home.
3. Remember
to log out of public computers
If you've ever checked your email in an internet cafe
or hotel computer, did you remember to log out? Closing a browser window isn't
usually enough. People who open the browser can often waltz right into your
email account because your "session" is still active. Remember to
click "log out" or "exit my account" any time you log into
private accounts through public machines.
4. Protect
your devices
Smart phones now carry the sort of data you used to
keep under lock and key in your home office or closet safe. If your devices are
lost or stolen, how much of your private information could be exposed through
your device?
First and foremost, add password protection to your
device in case it is lost. Most have a setting you can activate which forces
someone enter a code before access the apps and data on the device.
Second, consider adding an app or service which will
track your device via GPS if it is lost or stolen. Depending on your device,
there are an array of options to help locate your smart phone if it disappears.
To find an app specific to your device, try Googling (without quotation marks):
"app tracks stolen [device name]" where [device name] is replaced
with your brand of smart phone (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc.).
