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This morning we very briefly discussed securing your mobile device, so in the event of it getting into the hands of a thief, the information stored on the device is safe and it is sufficiently locked down to make it nearly valueless.

Listen in to the stream above and below you will find some useful tips to help you keep your phone and data safe.

The most important points raised were:-

1. Switch on the pin-code or similar security feature on your phone
2. If possible set the phone to encrypt your data to this pin-code
3. Don’t save passwords in web browsers on your phone
4. Make sure you log out of websites after purchasing items on your phone.
5. Enable ‘Find my phone’ or similar functionality, this will enable you to remotely ‘brick’ your phone if you have it stolen.
6. Don’t wave it around in public places.
7. Make SURE you have adequate insurance to cover the replacement of the phone and other ‘expenses’.

If you are unlucky enough to have your phone stolen, you should immediately:-

1. Contact your phone provider, do this before anything else as you won’t have to pay call charges made after you have reported it stolen or lost.
2. Contact the police and get a crime number, this will make insurance claims easier(!).
3. Log into your ‘Find my phone’ on a computer and see if you can track where the phone is.  If you can’t find it or there is no chance of retrieving it, disable it (brick it) straightaway. This makes it nearly useless on the black market and it will only be used for parts.
4. Take steps for the first set of points, so this doesn’t happen again!!

Useful links to help you ‘lock down’ your device.

10 tips to make your phone more secure

10 ways to secure your smartphone

What to do if your phone is stolen (via Apple)

If you have any tips for making your phone more secure, let us know!!