Portable devices and security

As the tech-world moves more and more away from being tied to a desk and embraces portable computing, so too the population of persons owning smart-devices (smartphones and tablets) is growing and this is a good things since it now means that more work can get done while we're in transit between home and workplace or anywhere for that matter, but there is a risk involved - that of security.

What would happen to your personal information or company's information should you lose your smart device?  If your smartphone or tablet was stolen would you be be able to comfortably say that your personal data is well protected from the thief?  Many persons would spend "top dollar" to own a smart-device, but few take the time to sit and protect the content of the said device.  How about you?  Is your information, files, credit card information, email credentials etc protected?

Here are three (3) simple ways you can protect your data:

1. Lock or password protect your device - ALL smart-devices come with a feature to lock or password protect the device from being used.  I must admit that some are much better than others based on the operating system you're using, but even then, it's better to have a little protection than no protection at all.  If the device has data encryption as a security feature, USE IT!
2. Pay attention to the apps or software you install on your device and the sort of permissions they request upon installation especially if you're using apps that are from sources outside of the official "app stores" of the various mobile operating systems (side-loading)
3. Physical access restriction - this should have possibly been the first one on the list.  You cannot afford to be careless with your device - DO NOT just leave it lying around.

I'm sure you may have other things that persons can do to protect their devices and their contents, so please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.