Security Training

Regardless of whether your mobile has anti-virus, updates are still the best strategy for keeping
malware off your device. Updates stop attacks that anti-virus cannot stop.

• Update your mobile operating system when the manufacturer issues an update. More often
than not, these updates patch security holes.
• Update your apps when security updates become available.
• Don’t dismiss or put off security updates!

Anyone picking up your lost device has access to your email and information. A PIN is required by
policy for persons who have programmed their device to access confidential University information,
such as work email.

• Set a complex pin, or better, a small pass phrase.
• Set your device to lock after, at most, 15 minutes inactivity.
• Set your device to wipe after 10 bad passwords.

It seems like common sense, but its good to consciously note that these mobile devices are just as mobile for thieves and ‘finders keepers’ as for you! Keep your device on your person, in the bag you are carrying or in sight at all times. Turning your back, or walking away inadvertently – even in a trusted environment like school or work – may result in the device being taken by someone else.

iOS and now Android devices have a ‘find my device’ feature. Read your operating system information and set it up in case you lose your device. You may be able to recover the device or at least wipe your data! It’s also good to have it set up, in case you lose it!

Sync or back up your device regularly to avoid losing data or software with a lost device. This also gives you confidence to use the wipe feature mentioned above if you are not sure if your device is stolen or just mislaid.

Pepperdine Information Technology recommends using the native Gmail mobile app for accessing your Pepperdine email. Download it from the official App Store or Google Play and set it up with your @pepperdine.edu email. You’ll find that you can load your personal gmail accounts very easily alongside your Pepperdine Gmail account in this app and switch between accounts with just a couple taps.

If you add a contact phone or email to the picture you use for your lock screen, then someone who finds your device can email or call to let you know it has been found!

Think – be wary, not trusting, on email!

Don’t get phished! It could end up filling your email box with trash, or cost you a paycheck or financial aid payment! Mobiles are especially helpful to criminal ‘typo’ addresses (like peppredine.com) due to the small screen.
Do this with all unexpected email requests (phishing.pepperdine.edu for more info):

• Delete suspicious requests, confirm ‘real’ requests with sender by phone or web.
• Check the web address (URL) every time you enter your password.