Taking Care of Your Digital Self, Part 7: Mobile Devices

The average American spends five hours a day on their smartphone. Since a phone is basically a little computer, users should also take all of the same identity hygiene tasks used for good cybersecurity and apply them to their mobile devices.

Even though it is one of the best ways to easily protect all the data on a mobile device, 28 percent of Americans do not use a screen lock on their mobile devices.

• Use a Passcode. The most important thing you can do to protect the information on your smartphone is to put a passcode on it.
• Install a back-up and wiping app. If your phone is lost or stolen you can erase all of the personal information on it without having physical access to the phone. The owner will also have all of the data ready to download to a new phone. Some programs also have a tracking feature to help find a phone.

Tools & Resources

Find my iPhone

Find my Mobile from Samsung

Now that you know all about creating and maintaining good identity hygiene, it is important to share that knowledge with those around you. This will help family, friends and co-workers, but it will also reinforce good identity protection habits. Share this information and lead by example at home, since children need to understand both the value of their personal information and the risks of not properly caring for it, just as you would teach them about their health. Likewise, greater numbers of senior citizens are enjoying online activity; so elderly parents need guidance as well. Continual practice of good identity hygiene will ensure that protecting one’s identity will become as natural as brushing teeth or showering.