Cell Phones and the Protection of Our Personal Information

If you regularly read our blog, you’ve seen past articles and tips regarding cell phone use.  February’s post on cell phone donation discussed recycling issues and offered tips for responsible disposal.  Each month we witness the debut of new models, and as we attempt to free ourselves of archaic phone styles this issue of disposal becomes more significant.  But the Federal Trade Commission reminds us that this is not just an environmental issue. In the age of identity theft, our cell phones are not safe from those eager to get a hold of valuable personal information.  In a consumer alert released by the FTC consumers are given proper disposal tips aimed at saving personal information stored in these repositories of valuable personal information.   

The FTC states that as mobile devices become more complex, consumers are storing more sensitive information in portable phones and PDAs.  Comparing cell phones to laptops, the FTC advises consumers to clean the device, removing passwords and other data.  Permanent data deletion requires these steps:-

Remove the memory or subscriber identity module (SIM) card from the phone.

Clear data from the phone’s contacts and other stored information. (Consult your owner’s manual or wireless provider’s website for directions.)

Make sure that you have removed the following data, including your phone book listings, any lists of calls (received and made), voicemails, sent and received email and text messages, organizer folders, Web search history and photos. 

Liam Tung, writing for CNET News, warns us that it is important to be reminded to protect our personal information during cell phone use, as well.  He advises consumers to be cautious while using cell phones and PDA’s, as it is easy to become the victim of cybercriminals by ignoring security warning signs.  Quoting F-Secure security expert Patrik Runald, Tung calls attention to the world of ringtones, games, wallpapers, and videos users download to devices.  Dangerous files are often disguised as friendly freeware, allowing them to view our private data.  Runald’s advice when bombarded with repeated Install this program now prompts: Just walk away.  

View related posts: Electronics Disposal, The Reality of Cell Phone Donation