Few things invoke instant panic like missing a mobile device or laptop. These devices hold a good part of our lives. This includes files, personal financials, apps, passwords, pictures, and videos.
The information they hold is more personal than even that which is in your wallet. It's because of all your digital footprints. This makes a lost or stolen device a cause for alarm.
It is not the device that is usually the biggest concern. It is the data on the device and access the device has to cloud accounts and websites. The thought of that being in the hands of a criminal is quite scary.
There are approximately 70 million lost smartphones every year. The owners only recover about 7% of them. Workplace theft is all too common. The office is where 52% of stolen devices go missing.
If it is a work laptop or smartphone that goes missing, it is even worse. This can mean the company is subject to a data privacy violation. It could also suffer a ransomware attack originating from that stolen device.
In 2020, Lifespan Health System paid a $1,040,000 HIPAA fine. This was due to an unencrypted stolen laptop breach.
The Minutes After the Loss of Your Device Are Critical
The things you do in the minutes after missing a device are critical. This is the case whether it is a personal or business device. The faster you act means the less chance there is for exposure of sensitive data.
What Types of Information Does Your Device Hold?
When a criminal gets their hands on a smartphone, tablet or laptop, they have access to a treasure trove. This includes:
- Documents
- Photos & videos
- Access to any logged-in app accounts on the device
- Passwords stored in a browser
- Cloud storage access through a syncing account
- Emails
- Text messages
- Multi-factor authentication prompts that come via SMS
Steps to Take Immediately After Missing Your Device
As we mentioned, time is of the essence when it comes to a lost mobile device. The faster you act means the more risk you mitigate for a breach of personal or business information.
Here are steps you should take immediately after the device is missing.
Activate a “Lock My Device” Feature
Most mobile devices and laptops will include a “lock my device” feature. It allows for remote activation if you have enabled it. You will also need to enable “location services.” While good thieves may be able to crack a passcode, turning that on immediately can slow them down.
What about “find my device?”
There is usually also a “find my device” feature available in the same setting area. Only use this to try to locate your device if you feel it has been misplaced rather than stolen. You don’t want to end up face to face with criminals!
Report the Device Missing to Your Company If It is Used for Work
If you use the device for business, notify your company immediately. Even if all you do is get work email on a personal smartphone, it still counts. Many companies use an endpoint device manager. In this case, access to the company network can be immediately revoked.
Reporting your device missing immediately can allow your company to act fast. This can often mitigate the risk of a data breach.
Log Out & Revoke Access to SaaS Tools
Most mobile devices have persistent logins to SaaS tools. SaaS stands for Software as a Service. These are accounts like Microsoft 365, Trello, Salesforce, etc.
Use another device to log into your account through a web application. Then go to the authorized device area of your account settings. Locate the device that is missing and log it out of the service. Revoke access if it is an option.
This disconnects the device from your account so the thief can’t gain access.
Log Out & Revoke Access to Cloud Storage
It is very important to include cloud storage applications when you revoke access. Is your missing device syncing with a cloud storage platform? If so, the criminal can exploit that connection.
They could upload a malware file that infects the entire storage system. They could also reset your device to resell it and delete files from cloud storage.
Active a “Wipe My Device” Feature
Hopefully, you are backing up all your devices. This ensures that you have a copy of all your files in the case of a lost device.
Does it look like the device is not simply misplaced? Has it been stolen or lost for good? If so, then you should use a remote “wipe my device” feature if it has been set up. This will wipe the hard drive of data.
Need Mobile Device Security Solutions?
No matter what size company you have, mobile device management is vital. Contact us at (860) 577-8060 or via our contact form to learn more about our endpoint security solutions.
One constant about technology is that it changes rapidly. Technology tools that were once staples, like Internet Explorer and Adobe Flash, age out. New technology tools replace those that are obsolete. Discontinued technology can leave computers and networks vulnerable to attacks.
While older technology may still run fine on your systems, that doesn’t mean that it is okay to use. One of the biggest dangers of using outdated technology is that it can lead to a data breach.
Outdated software and hardware no longer receive vital security updates. Updates often patch newly found and exploited system vulnerabilities. No security patches means a device is a sitting duck for a cybersecurity breach.
Approximately 1 in 3 data breaches are due to unpatched system vulnerabilities.
Another problem with using discontinued technology is that it can leave you behind. Your business can end up looking like you’re in the stone ages to your customers and they can lose faith and trust.
Important reasons to keep your technology updated to a supported version are:
- Reduce the risk of a data breach or malware infection
- Meet data privacy compliance requirements
- To keep a good reputation and foster customer trust
- To be competitive in your market
- To mitigate hardware and software compatibility issues
- To enable employee productivity
Older systems are clunky and get in the way of employee productivity. If you keep these older systems in use, it can lead to the loss of good team members due to frustration.
49% of surveyed workers say they would consider leaving their jobs due to poor technology.
The following is a list of outdated technology tools that you should replace as soon as possible. Are any of these still in use on your home computer or within your business?
Get Rid of This Tech Now If You’re Still Using It
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer (IE) used to be the number one browser in the world. Over time, Google Chrome and other browsers edged it out. This includes its replacement (Microsoft Edge).
Microsoft began phasing out IE with the introduction of Microsoft Edge in 2015. In recent years, fewer applications have been supporting use in IE. The browser lost all support beginning on June 15, 2022.
Adobe Flash
Millions of websites used Adobe Flash in the early 2000's. However, other tools can now do the animations and other neat things Flash could do. This made the tool obsolete and Adobe ended it.
The Adobe Flash Player lost all support, including security updates, as of January 1, 2021. Do you still have this lingering on any of your computers? If so, you should uninstall the browser plugin and any Flash software.
Windows 7 and Earlier
Windows 7 was a very popular operating system but it has now gone the way of the dinosaur. The replacements of Windows 10 and Windows 11 are now in widespread use. The Windows 7 OS lost support on January 14, 2020.
While it may still technically run, it’s very vulnerable to hacks. Microsoft Windows OS is also a high-value target for hackers. You can be sure they are out there looking for systems still running this obsolete version of Windows.
MacOS 10.14 Mojave and Earlier
Due to the cost of iMacs and MacBooks, people tend to hang onto them as long as possible. Once these devices get to a certain point, updates no longer work. This leaves the hardware stuck on an older and non-supported macOS version.
If you are running macOS 10.14 Mojave or earlier, your OS is no longer supported by Apple and you need to upgrade.
Oracle 18c Database
If your business uses Oracle databases, you may want to check your current version. If you are running the Oracle 18C Database, you are vulnerable. Breaches can easily happen due to unpatched system vulnerabilities.
The Oracle 18C Database lost all support in June of 2021. If you have upgraded, then you will want to keep an eye out for another upcoming end-of-support date. Both Oracle 19C and 21C will lose premiere support in April of 2024.
Microsoft SQL Server 2014
Another popular database tool is Microsoft’s SQL. If you are using SQL Server 2014, mainstream support has already ended. In July of 2024, all support (including security updates) will stop.
This gives you a little more time to upgrade before you’re in danger of not getting security patches. However, it is better to upgrade sooner rather than later. This leaves plenty of time for testing and verification of the upgrade.
Get Help Upgrading Your Technology & Reducing Risk
Upgrades can be scary when everything that you have been using has been running great. You may be afraid that a migration or upgrade will cause issues. We can help you upgrade your technology smoothly and do thorough testing afterward. Schedule a technology review today by calling us at (860) 577-8060 or using our convenient contact form.
One of the big draws of a laptop computer is that you can use it anywhere. You don’t need to have it plugged in all of the time because it has an internal battery.
Your laptop may start out with several hours of battery life when you first buy it. However, the lifespan can get shorter as time goes by and battery health takes a hit. Sometimes this can be due to a lack of PC maintenance. Other times, it's due to the environments that the laptop is subject to (such as a hot car).
Seeing your laptop’s battery capacity shrink can be frustrating. There are several things that you can do to increase the time you can go without needing to plug it in.
Lower the Display Brightness
The brighter your display means the more battery power it’s taking. Have you ever hit the automated low battery mode on a laptop? Then you know you immediately notice a difference in brightness. This is because that setting turns down the brightness. It's one of the ways to reduce battery consumption.
You can turn down the brightness of your screen in your display settings. You can also use the brightness keys that are usually in the top row of keys on a laptop keyboard.
Reduce PC Battery Use in Power/Sleep Settings
Here is one way to increase the time that you can use your unplugged laptop without a power source. Adjust some of its power and sleep settings.
If you’re using Windows, open the search on the Task Bar. Type in “power settings." This directs you to the power, sleep and battery settings in your system settings.
Look for any tips at the top for increasing battery longevity. This includes making the time your screen goes dark after inactivity and the time it goes to sleep the same.
Then review the settings (such as Screen, Sleep and Power mode). Find the ones that will reduce your PC’s battery consumption. This will extend the time that you can go without a new charge.
Enable Battery-Saver Mode
You don’t need to wait until your PC hits 10% for it to go into battery-saver mode. You can control this and enable it yourself in your system settings.
Do you know you’re going to be without a power source for a while? Put your PC in power-saver or battery-saver mode right away so that you can extend the charge as long as possible.
Use the Manufacturer’s Calibration Tool
Manufacturers will have their own PC maintenance tools installed that you can use for battery calibration. Sometimes calibrating the battery can correct an issue with a battery life. This is especially true if life has gotten shorter than when you first purchased your laptop.
Look for a manufacturer’s built-in maintenance app. It will usually be on the Task Bar unless you have hidden it. When you open that, you may find that you need to do a calibration or other maintenance task.
Get a Computer Tune-up
If you have processes running in the background, it can sap your battery life. Processes that aren't needed can often run anyhow. Getting a computer tune-up from your IT provider can solve a lot of different issues. This includes computers that get sluggish and battery life.
Consider Using Microsoft Edge Browser for Its Efficiency Settings
If you keep a lot of browser tabs open while you’re working on your PC. They could be sapping your battery power.
Consider trying Microsoft’s Edge browser. It has been gaining in popularity ever since it incorporated the Chromium engine. This is same one Chrome uses.
The browser has several power-saving features that you can enable in your settings. Search “sleeping tabs” in Edge settings to find these. They include:
- Enable efficiency mode (choose from the available options).
- Enable Sleeping Tabs and fade them when asleep.
- Choose when you would like to put inactive browser tabs to sleep to conserve power.
Turn Off Unnecessary Apps Hogging Power
Check the apps that are running on your PC in the Task Manager. Do you really need them all to run when you’re unplugged and trying to conserve battery power?
Often processes that aren’t 100% necessary all the time will be running. These include an update service or cloud storage syncing app. Close the apps that you don’t need to use at that time to lengthen battery life.
Keep Your PC Out of Too Much Heat or Freezing Temps
Both excess heat and freezing temperatures can be bad for a computer. This includes shortening the battery life.
You should never leave your laptop in a car on a hot day or when it’s freezing outside. Also, it might not seem particularly hot to you but if it’s sunny the inside of a vehicle can heat up pretty quickly. Be aware of the temperature extremes that your laptop is subject to.
Looking for a PC Tune-Up or Battery Replacement?
We can help you with a full system tune-up or a laptop battery replacement if needed. Don’t struggle when you can have that fixed in no time! Give us a call today at (860) 577-8060 or fill out our contact form and let’s chat.
How much does your business rely on technology to keep your organization running forward? As business technology becomes more complex, it’s becoming increasingly popular for organizations to have their own internal IT departments to manage and maintain it. Yet, small businesses don’t often have the necessary funds for such a feat. How can your company afford quality IT service? You can start by pursuing managed IT solutions from a managed service provider.
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