10 guidelines from AVG (AU/NZ) to keep valuable business data safe while on the move
MELBOURNE, 13 March 2012 — AVG (AU/NZ) Pty Ltd, the distributor of the award-winning AVG Internet and mobile security software in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, today announced the publication of ‘The Common Sense Guide to Working on the Move’.
The Guide applies knowledge gleaned by AVG from security professionals around the world to create advice for SMB business owners and their staff who, by using multiple devices in conjunction with work, have embraced the mobility revolution.
This latest advice represents AVG (AU/NZ)’s ongoing commitment to helping enterprises and SMBs avoid the devastating consequences of data loss or theft.
Today’s executives and mobile employees now access e-mail and other proprietary data from more than one device. As content is increasingly packaged for mobile consumption – delivered via apps from cloud servers – methods to stay secure can become as confusing as they are numerous.
Michael McKinnon, Security Advisor at AVG (AU/NZ), said: “Cyber criminals have SMBs firmly in their sights as smaller organisations tend to have less sophistication and structure to their security mechanisms. Everything is of value to the crooks – from product roadmaps and pricing data to corporate bank account information and customer databases.”
AVG (AU/NZ) knows that while most users are familiar with the benefits of anti-virus and Internet security software, not everyone recognises the ever-changing multitude of phishing, scams and other malware waiting to take up residency on a device. Often undetected by users, criminals win access to trade secrets, launch plans, operational literature, market strategies and other confidential corporate data.
Equally damaging but more embarrassing are those incidents where people misplace disks, documents and laptops in public places.
To help businesses reduce their exposure risk, The Common Sense Guide to Working on the Move offers executives the following 10 guidelines:
- Use strong password protection on your laptops and smartphones.
- Enable filters and other onboard protection barriers for Internet-connected smartphones.
- Shut down Bluetooth in public to guard against Bluejacking or Bluesnarfing.
- Beware of ‘free’ Wi-Fi, unless branded by the business you’re currently patronising. If you don’t know where your connection comes from, then you don’t know what you are connecting to.
- If you have to use a public (or kiosk) computer, never access your online banking details, make electronic purchases or enter ANY personally identifiable information.
- Think about where you are sitting and whether anyone can look at your screen.
- Count the items you take out of your bag when travelling – and count them as you put them back in.
- Don’t ask a stranger to ‘look after’ your laptop while you use the restroom or go to the counter in a web café.
- Make a note of your mobile operator’s emergency phone number so you can call them to have your phone immobilised in the event of a loss.
- As always, the first step to search, surf and email safely is to use a full online protection suite such as AVG Internet Security, or if you use an Android tablet or smartphone, AVG Mobilation.
The Common sense guide to working on the move can be downloaded from the AVG Business Resource Center: http://www.avg.com/ww-en/business-guides
Watch the video accompanying the guide at: http://youtu.be/fysogL6tSf0