Securing and Protecting Your Devices

Secure Your Device

  • Create a PIN or passcode for your smartphone.
  • Protect your laptop or off-campus workstation with a password only you know.
  • Never share your passwords with anyone else.

Stolen/Lost Devices

Symptoms of a Problem

  • The device is running slow
  • Pop-ups
  • Unfamiliar or peculiar error messages
  • Desktop background or browser home page changes unexpectedly
  • Missing files

Keep Up-to-Date

  • Download operating system security patches and updates.  
  • Use the latest version of the software.
  • Stay with reputable websites and mobile applications (apps). Only download trusted applications from an official app store.

Have a Plan

  • If your device is lost/stolen: Find my iPhone, Locate My Device, AirDroid, and other native location pinpointing applications can help you find your device if lost. Please contact your provider and ask them to recommend you a TRUSTED locater application.

Smartphones

  • Create a PIN or passcode for your device.
  • Keep apps updated and only download from reputable sources.
  • Use an app such as Find My iPhone to help locate your phone if it is lost.

Screen Lock

  • When you leave your desk, use a password-protected screen saver so your computer cannot be accessed by others. 
  • The quickest way to lock your screen is keyboard shortcuts:
    • Windows - Windows key + L
    • MACs - Ctrl+Cmd+Q

Backups

  • Regularly back up your important data and keep backups of important information in a different secure location. 
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