Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet: Mobile Devices

As well as invaluable tools for keeping in touch with our friends, families and our work, mobile devices have become an increasingly big part of how we access the Internet. Unfortunately, while many smartphones are nearly as powerful as computers, we often don’t use the same caution with them as we do with our computers—and they often don’t have the privacy and security safeguards that come built into computers. As well, the fact that we’re never far from our mobile devices can bring a host of opportunities for us to be distracted and to make poor choices.

To help Canadians protect themselves while using mobile devices, CIRA and MediaSmarts have just released Mobile Devices, the sixth and final tip sheet in a series on cyber security.

  1. Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet
  2. Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet: Safe Surfing
  3. Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet: Protecting Yourself from Malware
  4. Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet: Online Commerce
  5. Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet: Socializing and Interacting Online
  6. Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet: Mobile Devices

Lesson: Winning the Cyber Security Game (Grades 5-8)

Comments

I think a big issue today is

I think a big issue today is that people aren’t fully informed of how open their identity is whether they are on a computer or a smart phone. True, many people have virus protection online but that does not stop their computer from giving out their personal information. What I just learned in my class this week, whenever we visit a site online our computer gives out our IP allowing that site to access our information. Another thing is people tend to make poor decisions with their phones because they are trying to access on the go, while eating, walking, having a conversation and thus not putting much concentration or caution on the fact that they may be giving out their information to a harmful site. Some actions that a could be taken are companies who are making these smart phones, could put better privacy protection on these phones, or warnings to tell the user they are looking up potentially dangerous site. Also, informing more people, the importance of protecting their privacy whether on a phone or a computer. Always being conscious of what you’re doing. Sometimes identity isn’t just stolen from a device being hacked, it could also be due to leaving a mobile device unattended. Some may see this at not important but there have been many a times I could easily look over a persons shoulder and get their password to an account because they are so openly handling their phone. Also, most people don’t log out of an email, and Facebook site while on their phones. I know I could pick up my husbands phone and go right into his Facebook that has personal information hidden to people besides his friends.

Add new comment