Business Smartphone Security Basics

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Risk Management

Just how serious is the mobile security threat? Mobilisafe, a Seattle-based mobile risk management company, recently conducted a four-month survey of more than 134 mobile operating systems and application vulnerabilities. The findings paint a grim picture for Hispanic business. Of the devices surveyed, nearly three out of every four devices (71 percent) contained “severe” operating system vulnerabilities. Mobilisafe identified a new vulnerability every 1.6 days– four times faster than in 2011.

While this sounds dire, three tips can be followed to help limit your business’s exposure to mobile security threats.

Tip #1: Be proactive. Any IT manager will tell you that the best way to prevent PC virus attacks is to keep the operating software up to date. The same goes for reducing smartphone security risks. Proactively addressing vulnerabilities reduces the risk that hackers can compromise your data. Promptly install all operating system updates as soon as they become available. In the Mobilisafe study, the majority of devices with vulnerabilities were not up to date with the latest available firmware.

Tip #2: Think twice before “selling back” your mobile device. Refurbished devices provide customers with affordable access to the latest technology. By returning a gently used device, many customers can receive a significant credit on their next upgrade. Unfortunately, mobile phone companies do not have a perfect track record when it comes to deleting confidential data. In fact, Motorola recently disclosed that the owner’s original data was not completely cleared from a recent refurbished batch of 100 Xoom WiFi tablets–exposing previous owners to a potential security breach. Disklabs estimates that more than half the mobile devices sold on eBay contain some of the owner’s original data, including stored passwords.

Tip #3: Add a mobile security app to your device. Longtime computer security provider McAfee recently announced the launch of its mobile security app, which runs on the Android, BlackBerry and Symbian operating systems. In addition to full backup and restore capabilities, the app also scans any new apps or downloads for viruses and blocks suspect websites. The “App Alert” feature lets you know what your applications are actually doing, such as requesting access to your contact list. McAfee’s SiteAdvisor product will also help protect your smartphone from malicious URLs sent via email or text. Norton AntiVirus, BitDefender, ESET Mobile Security and Kaspersky all offer similar mobile security products. If you have not already done so, add a security app to your device–and make the addition mandatory for your employees, too.

 

 

Be Proactive

Smartphones have revolutionized the way that the Hispanic market conducts business. As Hispanic leaders, it’s our responsibility to ensure that our employees and business is protected against the growing mobile security threat. By taking proactive steps to keep your business safe today, you can save your business from the financial headache of a security breach.

 

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