Physical security for your cell phone or smartphone

Smartphones like the iPhone, Treo or Blackberry are really small networked computers. They run programs, and can store thousands of documents in memory. If stolen, an unsecured smartphone grants access to your private information: email correspondence, address books, and any unsecured documents. In short, losing a smartphone could be as big a security problem as losing a laptop.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the risks should you lose your smartphone through accident or theft:

• Never leave a smartphone unattended, even for just a minute. Make it a personal habit to keep the phone close at all times.
• Use passwords whenever possible to protect your privacy if your phone is lost.
• Use passwords on any important documents that you keep on your cell phone. Your grocery list doesn't need a password, but you don't want confidential information in the hands of a thief.
• Keep only the documents you really need on your smartphone, and remove and archive older files you don't actively use anymore.
• Never allow your cell phone software to automatically supply a password for you. If you do, it means that anyone with your phone can access your accounts.

Related topics

• How to securely remove all data from a mobile device
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Storage devices
• Secure disposal or repurposing of computing devices

Related University Policies & Procedures

• Yale computing security & access policies & procedures
• Procedure 1610 - Disposal of Obsolete Computers and Peripherals