DALLAS -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- New York cab drivers warn that the holiday season is the worst time of year for passengers leaving mobile devices such as phones, laptops and USB sticks in the back of their cabs.
According to a survey organized by CREDANT Technologies, New Yorkers leave behind on average around 5,000 mobile phones a month in the back of taxis, and more than 500 other mobile devices, including iPods, laptops and memory sticks per month.
The taxi survey -- which is carried out every other year in New York amongst yellow Taxi and Limosine Commission licensed taxicabs -- seeks to gauge the frequency and ease with which mobile devices are lost in transit.
The survey figures are based on interviews with 300 New York licensed taxi drivers and then extrapolated amongst the 13,087 Yellow licensed taxicabs in Manhattan, New York.
CREDANT Technologies suggest 12 csteps to take you to make sure that, if you do lose your laptop, mobile phone, smartphone or other mobile device, you don't lose your entire personal and corporate identity with it:
Back-up your mobile device regularly.
If you have important and sensitive company data on your mobile device get your IT department to encrypt it -- they can do this remotely -- meaning only you can read it.
Use a strong password on all your devices which combine numbers, letters and symbols.
Put your name and number with details of a reward on your device if found and returned.
Use your device's security features -- such as the Personal Identification Number (PIN) number which only you know -- to stop others getting access to it.
Use your head: Don't keep data on your laptop or mobile phone that others could use against you.
Don't save old SMS or emails on your handset that you don't need anymore -- you'd be surprised how many people keep their default password emails on their mobiles and other hugely sensitive information like PINs, bank account details or passwords.
Check your message folders such as drafts, saved and outbox as there will be lots of information you just don't need to keep there.
Look at your call list -- delete any numbers you no longer need.
Physically mark your handset with personal information. This will greatly reduce the second-hand value of the mobile if it is stolen.
Record your IMEI: Every mobile phone has a unique 15-digit electronic serial number that can be referenced by dialing *#06#.
Notify your wireless network carrier AND the police immediately in the event of loss or theft. Tell them your IMEI number and any other identifying features on your phone. (PS: If the device contains company data -- emails, customer or employee records, documents, etc. -- inform your employer. You or they may be required to notify the appropriate authorities or report a potential data breach).
Don't leave your device open to access (e.g. leaving Bluetooth or WiFi on, visible and unsecured).
