This blog complements my book, The Essential Guide to Home Computer Security, to help you keep your home computers and smartphones secure.

Monday 7 November 2011

Smartphones - stolen for their data

Smartphones are increasingly being stolen for their data. A thief could get access to your passwords, your credit card numbers and your email. The ability to read your email could allow them to change passwords on other accounts you use. This identity theft could cause you a lot of problems, so if you do lose your phone, as well as reporting it to your phone company quickly change all your important online passwords. Where possible, try not to store security sensitive data on your phone. Even outdated BlackBerrys can apparently fetch £40 each on the black market in Africa, China and Europe, because of the data they contain. Of course you should also make sure it is protected by a PIN but this will not stop the determined data thief.

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