| Although carrying a laptop, cell phone, memory stick or | | | | To protect your data in case your laptop, cell phone or |
| MP3 player on a daily basis is a common occurrence, | | | | smart phone is stolen, you should always use |
| it is important to remember that devices such as these | | | | password protection. Losing your hardware is bad |
| can be quite tempting to criminals. By taking a few | | | | enough without the worry of wondering what the thief |
| simple precautions, you can protect not only your | | | | will do with your personal and possibly sensitive data. If |
| devices, but also the valuable data that they contain. | | | | you have access to an encryption device or some |
| One of the most important things to remember is to | | | | advanced form of protection, it's always advisable to |
| always keep your devices close to you. Never leave | | | | utilize any means possible to protect your data. There |
| any device lying around, even for a few minutes. In | | | | are many companies that are dedicated to doing this |
| fact, if you can keep your electronic devices out of | | | | for you, including providing you with a secure line to use |
| sight completely, this can offer even more protection. | | | | the Internet. |
| For example, showing off your new iPod to your | | | | In fact, especially when traveling or using your |
| friends might be fun, but this can also increase the | | | | electronic devices for mobile use, you should do a |
| chances that a thief might also see it. Always be | | | | careful assessment of how much data you really |
| aware of where it is at all times to ensure no one | | | | need to carry with you. If you have especially sensitive |
| takes it. | | | | data on your laptop or smart phone, you might want to |
| Using security labels on your electronic devices can | | | | consider backing this information up onto a more |
| also be a good deterrent. If a thief has to choose | | | | secure storage device, then deleting it from your |
| between an unlabeled laptop and one that contains | | | | mobile device. However, if your data is especially |
| security labels that must be removed, they will opt for | | | | sensitive or confidential, remember that simply deleting |
| the unlabeled equipment. It won't always work for you, | | | | a file doesn't always make it unrecoverable. If absolute |
| but the chance that it does prevent a theft will pay off | | | | security is important to you, there are software |
| in the long run. You can never be too careful when | | | | solutions that can delete files permanently. |
| protecting your most expensive possessions. | | | | |