How to protect your laptop, smartphone & other mobile devices

CYBER SECURITY ON THE GO

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OverviewMobile devicesRisksBest Practices

LaptopsSmartphonesPortable Storage Devices

Data ProtectionLocation-Sharing Technologies

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TCU Information Security Services

Mobile DevicesLaptopsSmartphonesPortable storage devices

USB memory sticksThumb/flash drivesRemovable hard drives

PDA’s

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RisksMobile devices are easy to lose or stealCan carry large amount of dataOften unprotectedData may be “sniffed” during unprotected

wireless communicationsResults

Broken deviceInfections from viruses, spyware, malwarePrivacy and personal security concerns

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Best Practices – Good HabitsKeep it in sight, within reach, on your

person.Avoid clicking links or calling numbers

contained in unsolicited emails or text messages.

Know what you are downloading. Never store sensitive or confidential

information on a mobile device.

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Best Practices – Configure Device Securely

Enable auto-lockEnable password protectionKeep all system/application patches up-to-

dateInstall anti-virus if available and keep it

up-to-dateEnable Remote Wipe (if available)

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Best Practices – Wireless SafetyRule of thumb – do not trust wireless to be

secure!Disable features not in use such as Bluetooth,

infrared or Wi-fiSet Bluetooth devices to non-discoverable to

make them invisible to unauthenticated devicesAvoid joining unknown Wi-fi networks

Disable any “autoconnect” featureWhen using public wireless hotspots only

type in or view information that is not sensitive unless you create a TCU VPN session first.

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TCU VPNVPN – Virtual Private NetworkAdvanced security technologiesTCU VPN is available to TCU Faculty and

StaffGo to

www.tr.tcu.edu/remoteconnection.htm for instructions

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LaptopsAccording to a 2008 report of the

Ponemon Institute, “Business travelers lose more than 12,000 laptops per week in U.S. airports.” http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/services/dell_lost_laptop_study.pdf

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Laptop Video from FTChttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=PeyKVC92AfM

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Laptop - physical securityNever leave unsecured laptop unattendedLock your doorsLock it in a cabinetUse a locking security cable

Room/officeHotel roomPublic locationsConferences, training sessionsCost $15-$50, combination or key lock

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Traveling with a LaptopDon’t let it out of your sight when you travelBe particularly watchful at airport security

checkpointsAlways take it in your carry-on luggage

Never put it in checked luggageUse a nondescript carrying caseBe careful when you take a nap in the airportDon’t leave it in view in your vehicle

Don’t trust the trunk - remember the quick release lever inside the vehicle?

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SmartphonesSmartphones like the iPhone, Treo or

Blackberry are really small networked computers.

Run programs and can store thousands of documents in memory.

If stolen, an unsecured Smartphone grants access to your private information: email correspondence, address books, and any unsecured documents.

Losing a Smartphone could be as big a security problem as losing a laptop.

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Smartphones continuedNever leave a Smartphone unattendedEnable auto-lockEnable password protection

Do not use your TCU passwordKeep the phone OS and apps up-to-dateEnable remote wipe

You can wipe out the data on a lost iPhone or Smartphone with Windows Mobile if the phone uses ActiveSync to synch email.

Remote WipeUsing Remote Wipe from Outlook Web

AccessGo to Options (upper right), select Mobile

DevicesWarning – this will wipe out everything on

the phone

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TCU Information Security Services

Portable Storage DevicesUSB memory sticks, thumb/flash drives,

removable hard drivesNo confidential data!

Too easy to lose; easy target of theft“Erase” files so they aren’t recoverable

File Shredder CCleaner

Configure a username and passwordEncrypt files

Microsoft Office file encryption TrueCrypt, Ironkey

Beware “free” flash drives. They can contain viruses and malware

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Data ProtectionThe best way to protect sensitive personal

information (SPI) is to never store it on a mobile device.

SPI is defined as an individual's name, address, or telephone number combined with any of the following:

Social security number or taxpayer ID number Credit or debit card number Financial/salary data Driver's license number Date of birth Medical or health information protected under HIPAA Student related data protected under FERPA

See the TCU Sensitive Personal Information (SPI) Policy https://security.tcu.edu/SecuringSPI.htm

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Data Protection ContinuedStore your important files on your M: drive

and use VPN with Remote Desktop (Windows) or Screensharing (Mac) to access it (see http://www.tr.tcu.edu/RDP_VPN.htm for instructions on setting up VPN).

While it is against TCU Policy to store SPI on a mobile device, if you must store your own personal information, encrypt it.Use Microsoft Office file encryption, orPGP’s Whole Disk Encryption 

Only transmit SPI when required for TCU business and then only in an encrypted manner such as through a TCU VPN session.

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Location-Sharing TechnologiesLocation-aware

applications deliver online content to users based on their physical location.

Technologies employ GPS, cell phone infrastructure or wireless access points to identify where cell phones or laptops are located and users can share that information with location-aware applications.

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How are Location-Sharing Technologies used?

Apps might provide you with information on nearby restaurants, notify you of traffic jams, or let your friends in a social network know where you are, prompting increased social connectivity.

Additionally there are highly targeted marketing opportunities for retailers.

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Risks of Location-Sharing TechnologiesMakes users “human homing beacons”Increased chances of being stalkedMay reveal when you are home or not

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Examples of Location-Sharing TechnologiesFacebook places

The program for mobile phones allows users to "share where you are with your friends, see where your friends are and discover new places around you," said Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's CEO at a press conference.

GPS Geotagging Smartphone photosBlip – Blackberry application updates

location every 15 minutes.Latitude – Google app allows you to see

where your friends are and what they are up to.

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Location-Sharing Technologies SecurityMost apps offer privacy controlsBut privacy controls are not always easy

to accessDefaults may be too openKnow what applications you have and

research privacy controls

Recap

Good Habits – common sense

Configure devices securely

Understand what you are protecting

Be aware of new technologies

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TCU Information Security Services

ResourcesTCU Computer Help Desk

817-257-6855Help@tcu.eduhttp://Help.tcu.edu Location: Mary Couts Burnett Library, first

floorInformation Security Services

https://Security.tcu.edu Security@tcu.edu