I have been receiving questions regarding mobile devices/smartphones so I wanted to send out some useful information to everyone. 🙂
#1 – Setting Up Cornell E-mail and Calendar
- Visit CIT’s website for instructions on how to set up your account:
- See how to get connected with your iOS device or how to get connected with your Android or other device.
- Still stuck and can’t make it work? E-mail helpdesk@cornell.edu and they will help walk you through how to make everything work correctly.
#2 – Secure Your Smartphone!
The Cornell IT (CIT) helpdesk also has a very informative page about how to secure your smartphone and some best practices to follow. They also have some requirements, if you use your Cornell account on your phone.
- Required:Any handheld device that is used in conjunction with Cornell activities, including retrieval of email or calendar data must be configured so that it can be locked or erased if it is lost or stolen.
- Recommended:
- Configure the device to lock the console after a period of inactivity no greater than 30 minutes, with a password required to unlock the device. Use of the simple numeric code that is an option on some devices is discouraged.
- Configure the device to erase all data after not more than ten failed attempts to enter the password.
- A few best practices are:
- Avoid keeping confidential data or otherwise sensitive information mobile devices, because they are more likely to be lost or stolen and harder to encrypt.
- Keep software updated, since mobile devices are vulnerable to direct attacks from both malware (viruses, etc.) and phishing.
Warning: Antivirus and personal firewalls are currently unavailable for mobile phones. - Delete any text you receive with passwords or other sensitive information.
- Only install apps from trusted resources. Apps can host malware that will expose your passwords, credit card numbers, or anything else you type into your mobile device.
- Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if you aren’t using them. Wireless features give remote access to hackers.
- If you do use Wi-Fi, only do so on secure networks that require a password.
- Back up your data to minimize the chances of losing everything should your device be lost or stolen, or need to be wiped completely due to a virus or other security breach.
- Avoid sharing mobile devices. Personal mobile devices are not designed to support multiple users and can’t be set up to protect you from risk caused by other people’s activities.
- Cornell’s Office 365 service for faculty and staff makes it possible for some mobile devices to be wiped or disabled remotely via OWA settings (http://outlook.cornell.edu)
- What about anti-virus/anti-malware programs/apps for mobile devices?
- Antivirus and personal firewalls are not currently available for mobile phones through Cornell. Also, CIT nor I will formally recommend any form of security solution for mobile devices.
- There are many security apps out there to choose from but there is still an ongoing debate about whether it’s even necessary to load a security app on your phone.
- If you really, really want to put a security app on your phone, please research several apps first and go with a well-known, well-reviewed company or ask your mobile carrier for some recommendations (they may have their own apps).
- Please remember: the best way to avoid viruses/malware is to follow the best practices.
To read more information about securing your mobile devices and for instructions, go to CIT’s webpage: https://it.cornell.edu/device-security/protect-mobile-devices-smartphone-ipad-or-other-tablet
#3 – Back It Up!
Accidents happen… you lose your phone, you drop your phone.. you drop your phone into a toilet… =/ What would you lose if your phone breathed its last today? Before that happens.. You could always connect your phone to a computer via a usb cable to back it up manually but there are many ways out there to backup it up automatically!
- Apple: Backup and restore with iCloud or iTunes http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1766
When you sign up for iCloud, you automatically get 5 GB of free storage for Backup, Documents, and Mail. Your purchased music, movies, apps, books, TV shows, and photo streams don’t count against that free storage. http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4874 - Android: Backup with Google
You have 15 GB of free storage to share between Google Drive, Gmail, and Google+ Photos. https://support.google.com/picasa/answer/6558?hl=en — Add more storage: https://www.google.com/settings/storage- Automatically back up your photos and videos to Google+ by turning on Auto Backup: https://support.google.com/plus/answer/1647509?hl=en (works with Apple too with the Google+ app)
- Mobile Carrier Options: Verizon- https://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/consumer/products/verizon-cloud.html – AT&T https://www.att.com/features/data-backup-transfer/
- More information: http://mashable.com/2013/08/22/smartphone-backup/
#4 – Ready for a New Phone? Dispose of Your Old Device Safely.
When you are ready to get rid of your device or return it to the vendor, be sure to remove all sensitive information first. The device should be restored to “factory defaults” which can be accomplished by a “hard reset.” Each phone has different directions, this site should get you started in the right direction: http://www.wikihow.com/Delete-Cell-Phone-Memory. And don’t forget about all the data on your SD card, if you have one.
Contact your mobile carrier or the CIT helpdesk helpdesk@cornell.edu if you need assistance in resetting the device.
#5 – And Don’t Forget: You Can Get a Discount!! 🙂
A benefit of being a Cornell employee is that we receive a 20% discount off of our personal Verizon or AT&T phone plans and also discounts on phone accessories. The discounts for Verizon and AT&T are not just for new phone contracts. The discount can be applied to your existing contract, as long as the plan is in the employee’s name.
https://www.dfa.cornell.edu/procurement/supplierlistview