Tech Tip Tuesday is written and made possible by Computek who has been providing Georgetown and Austin businesses with fast, reliable and secure IT support and services since 2001. Learn more about Computek on their website, Facebook page or Instagram profile.
We all dread the day when we reach into our laptop bag or into our pocket and find a device is missing. Devices such as laptops, tablets, and phones are widely used by many due to their portability. Unfortunately, that same portability can be their downfall.
Over 70 million smartphones are lost each year. In addition, about 2 million laptops are stolen each
year. It can happen to anyone. That’s why having a plan in case of a lost or stolen device is critical. Let’s take a look at what you should do if your device is lost or stolen.
Call Your Device Provider
If you have lost a phone, report the loss or theft to your provider. Some providers offer support and the ability to suspend your account. This will prevent scammers from using your phone to run scams using your number.
Change Your Passwords
Change every password you can think of, starting with email and financial accounts. If your device is unlocked, anyone can access accounts that have remained logged in. If they have access to your email, then they will be able to change your passwords easily and lock you out of your accounts.
Cancel All Attached Credit Card
Make sure every card linked to your device is canceled. If you have cards saved to shopping accounts, food delivery apps, online bill pay, or social media accounts, call and cancel them immediately. It’s better to cancel right away to ensure if anyone does come in contact with your device, they can’t spend your money.
Warn Family and Friends
Make sure to notify your family and friends that your device has been lost or stolen. This can help prevent your loved ones from falling victim to a scam. Often, thieves will pretend to be you and ask your contacts for money or try to gain access to their accounts as well. Enable 2-Factor Authentication
Once you have followed all the above precautions and replaced your device, ensure you have turned on 2-factor authentication. It is recommended that you do not use a cell phone number to receive your 2-factor code but rather an authenticator app to maintain security. This way, if you miss a password or someone tries to break into one of your accounts, they won’t be able to get in without a PIN number.
If you need help securing your company devices, contact us at Computek.
We have special software for businesses that enables us to lock the device as soon as it is lost or stolen. If you are interested in protecting your business technology, we’ve been the experts for over 20 years. Call or book online today! 512-869-1155 or book online at Computekonline.com
That’s all for this week’s Tech Tip Tuesday. We’ll see you next time!
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