Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 95 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. Risks to Using Mobile Devices Data theft Because mobile devices are so convenient, they are often the main tool we use to do both our work and our personal errands online. Unfortunately, this means that the device is typically packed with personal information related to the device owner. You don’t need to be a hacker to get information off of someone’s mobile device, either: people leave phones and tablets in cabs, airplanes and restaurants every day, and according to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, fewer than half of Canadians password-lock their devices or tighten their privacy settings. Once someone has access to your data they can use it to access your online accounts, buy things with your credit cards or even pretend to be you online. Malware While it is possible for malware to gain access to a mobile phone, in most cases when a mobile device is compromised it’s because the user downloaded an app that contained some kind of malware. While most of us have become cautious about downloading to our computers, we are often distracted when using digital devices. The one-click process makes it easier to download apps without thinking twice. Unlike malware designed for computers, which is typically delivered through illegal or “grey-market” venues such as file-sharing sites, mobile malware can often be found among the many legitimate apps available for little to nothing—often masquerading as games or even security software. There are two main types of known mobile malware: those that steal your data as you use your phone and those that charge money to your accounts without you knowing it. Bullying Bullying and harassment by mobile devices are at least as big an issue as they are on social networks. Research has found that teens who are heavy cell phone users are more likely both to be targets and perpetrators of online bullying, and the cameras found on almost every phone now make it possible for every embarrassing moment to be captured and uploaded. Sexting Because we mostly use phones to talk to or text a single person at a time, we sometimes forget that anything we do over a mobile device can be saved, copied and forwarded to any number of people. Sexting (and sharing sexts sent to you) can have consequences ranging from embarrassment to criminal continued on page 97... Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet
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