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SecureMama


Tag: Mobile Security


New Years Resolution for Your Digital World!

Posted on January 2nd, by Cathy Olsen in Internet Devices. No Comments

 

We have all looked in the mirror and have noticed that holiday cheer has led to a few inches on the waistline, a few lines around the eyes.  What about your digital life?  Take a moment to think about how you can improve your digital world for 2013!

1. Lock Down New Toys!

It is so much fun to open that new gadget packaging and dive right in and start installing apps, customizing, adding movies, picture, and data.  If you haven’t already, take the necessary steps to lock down your mobile device.  If you gave your child or teenager an iTouch, iPad, or iPad mini, consider adding parental controls.  For laptops and computers, install the operating system and software updates.  Install anti-virus.  There are plenty of free Anti-Virus solutions.  Don’t skip this step!  Avast for Mac, AVG, Microsoft Security Essentials.

2. Be Social With Your … Read More »



Top Ten Ways to Secure your Mobile Device

Posted on August 1st, by Cathy Olsen in Mobile Security, Tutorial. No Comments

 

Why is Mobile Security such a hot topic?

The popularity of having a ‘Smart Phone’ and having an Internet Connection wherever you are has dramatically increased the past two years.  However, how does Internet Safety relate to mobile use?  You can now use your Smart Phone to do the majority of activities that you would normally do on a computer!

Social Networks
Web browsing
Banking
Downloading and using Apps
Games
Txt Messaging
Oh yeah .. It is a phone too!  You also can make phone calls!

Because Smart phones are so versatile and handy, there is a lot of sensitive data that could be stolen and malicious transactions performed!
How do I protect myself?

1. Install only Apps that you NEED!

Many applications are accessing data on your phone without any warning or description of this upon installation.  In my post  ’Are your applications being naughty?‘ I discussed a new App by … Read More »



Is your Solitaire game accessing your phone’s Address book?

Posted on May 23rd, by Cathy Olsen in Recent Trends. No Comments

Are your applications being naughty?

 

The Tech Crunch blog posted yesterday regarding ‘naughty’ applications.

Remember when we were all FREAKING out about location tracking by random applications on our phone?  We now know how to check for which applications are capturing our location and how to turn it off.

Most applications are NOT malicious (or ‘naughty’).  However, there are hundreds of thousands of applications available.  We are relying on the coding standards of thousands of developers.  The applications in the Apple store are tested by Apple, However, the level of testing may not get to this detail.

Now, there is a new app out there Bitdefender Clueful which tracks any interactions the application has with the rest of  phone (iOS, address book, etc).  The clueful app scans the memory of the phone to see what actions the phone is performing.  It can also track … Read More »


What are my kids talking about?! – Cell Phone Security

Posted on April 25th, by Cathy Olsen in Technology Explained. No Comments

Ahhh cell phones!!  I remember when I got my first cell phone.  I was in college and I still felt like it was a splurge because the campus did have courtesy phones in many buildings.  Now with the growing trend of cell phones, it is not uncommon to have an eight or ten year old with a cell phone.

How do we manage this WHOLE NEW PIECE of technology?!!

I would recommend creating a cell phone agreement.  Set up rules for the proper use of the phone.  Even though most plans allow for UNLIMITED texting, should your child have UNLIMITED access to texting day and night?  I worry when my son finally gets a cell phone, will I only be talking to the top of his head?!

Example Rules:

1)   BE RESPONSIBLE! Stay within budgeted minutes or texts.  Be responsible for any overage fees.

2)   … Read More »





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