Smartphone and Tablet: Technology Safety Tips

As elegant and infinitely useful as smartphones and tablet computers have become, our growing reliance on them, along with the rise in handheld-device theft and data snooping, has introduced new forms of potential travel calamity. Here are a few ways to discourage thieves and mitigate personal-data loss.

- Discourage snatch-and-dash theft. This form of in-your-face robbery relies on speed, timing and victim shock for success. When sitting at open-air restaurant or cafe tables, never leave your device sitting out on the table, not even for a minute. A thief at a full sprint can grab your device and disappear into a crowd before you can even lift a hand, much less give chase. Likewise, avoid having your device out while sitting near the doors of trains and buses. Someone can snatch the device right out of your hand and hop through the doors as they close. By the time you get to your feet, the train or bus has already started pulling away. Open taxi window reach-in theft (sometimes armed) is a big problem in some countries. It's best to keep your device stashed out of sight in such circumstances.

- Secure device access with a PIN code. Yes, this is device security 101, however many people neglect to do this because entering the PIN becomes tedious for those who check their device frequently. An efficient PIN pattern can ease this irritant. Selectively activating and deactivating the PIN code when circumstances warrant is another alternative.

- Exercise caution when using Wi-Fi. When you use unfamiliar or untrusted Wi-Fi hubs in restaurants, cafes and hotels, thieves with data-sniffing software can be recording your online activity. It's strongly recommended that you avoid viewing sensitive information (banking, credit cards) on your device while connected to Wi-Fi. Disconnecting from Wi-Fi and using your 3G (or 4G) connection when doing these tasks is more secure. (For more Wi-Fi security tips, please see "How to Protect Yourself While Using Public Wi-Fi.")

- Purchase through a credit card. It's best to use a credit card while shopping on your device versus using a prepaid retail gift card or billing your cell provider. This will help mitigate losses in case of theft (your credit card company should have fraud protection) as well as provide more options if there's a purchase dispute.

- Clean your browser. It's best to avoid viewing personal data (banking info, Social Security numbers, etc.) on your handheld device altogether. However, in the event that this activity becomes necessary, once you're done, it's a good idea to erase your tracks so a smartphone theft can't balloon into identity theft as well. Go to your Internet browser's privacy settings and delete the browser's history, as well as its cache and cookie data.

- Disable the 'remember passwords' feature. Depending on your circumstances (e.g., high likelihood of theft or loss) or personal preferences, you may choose to disable the "remember passwords" feature on your handheld's Internet browser. A tedious precaution, no doubt, but not having to worry about compromised online accounts in the event of theft or loss can reduce fallout.

- Install tracking and loss-protection apps. If your device is stolen, a tracking app can quickly ascertain its whereabouts, which you can then give to the police. A loss-protection app provides remote options like locking the device and wiping all personal data from its memory. Some smartphones come with these features preloaded.

- Contact your provider in case of loss or theft. If the worst happens and your device is lost or stolen, call your cellular provider immediately, so it can prevent your device from being used.