Today@Dal

With an increasing amount of sensitive data being stored on personal devices, the value and mobility of smartphones, tablets, and laptops make them appealing and easy targets. These simple tips will help you be prepared in case your laptop is stolen or your smartphone is misplaced.

·         Don't leave your device alone at public places or parked vehicles! It's not enough to simply ask the stranger next to you in a library or coffee shop to watch your laptop for a few minutes.

·         Keep documents and files in cloud storage to avoid losing them with theft of a device. OneDrive is available for all students and employees.

·         Use a permanent marking, engraving, or tamper-resistant commercial asset tracking tag to differentiate your device. It's less likely that someone will steal your device if it looks unique.

·         Don't keep any sensitive information such as Social Security number, credit card numbers, network IDs, passwords, and other personally identifiable information on your device.

·         Your photos, papers, research, and other files are irreplaceable, and losing them may be worse than losing your device. Set a reminder to backup your data on a regular basis!

·         Protect your personal data with the built-in disc encryption feature included with your computer's operating system (e.g., BitLocker or FileVault).

·         Jot down the serial number of your device and store it in a safe place. This information can be useful for verifying your device if it's found.

·         Install and use tracking and recovery software included with most devices (e.g., the "Find My iPhone" feature in iOS) or invest in commercial products like LoJack or Prey.

For more tips, information, and details please visit the Information Security area on the ITS web site.