Traveling with Mobile Devices

Traveling with Mobile Devices – Smart Phone; Tablet; Laptop

Please follow these guidelines to ensure the security and integrity of your devices while traveling.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Do not store high-risk confidential information, such as credit card or Social Security numbers, on your laptop or any external or mobile devices, including CDs, USB storage keys or other memory cards.
Encrypt your laptop. All University-owned laptops are encrypted by IT before being distributed. To encrypt your personal Windows laptop, follow these instructions. To encrypt your personal Mac, follow these instructions.
Use strong passwords, which include a combination of 8 or more upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols.
Lock your computer when it’s not in use. To lock a Windows computer, simultaneously press the “Windows” and “L” keys on your keyboard. To lock a Mac, simultaneously press “Control”, “Shift” and “Eject” (or the power key on devices without an eject key).
On your phone or tablet use a passcode to protect the data if lost or stolen.
For phones or tablets with screens, configure the device to lock when idle, requiring the user to enter his or her password to unlock the Device. Users are encouraged to use the minimum screen lock time setting available for the Device. Devices should lock after no more than 5 minutes of inactivity. See links below for instructions on how to enable this for your device.
- Instructions on how to set a screen lock for your Device:
  - Apple iOS
  - Android

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Bring power adapters. Research the electrical requirements and telephone standards for the countries you plan to visit. View a list of electrical outlets and plugs by country.
Label your devices. Airports are a common location where people misplace electronics. If your device is not labeled, it may be difficult to track you down to return it in the event it is lost.; We suggest attaching a business card to your device as a simple means of identifying yourself as its owner.
Charge your batteries. Airport security may require you to power on your computer before clearing you to proceed to your gate.
Back-up your data. Copy important files to an encrypted external hard drive or a USB storage key, and keep that copy in a separate location from your laptop or other device. Encrypted USB storage keys are a good measure and reasonably priced at any computer store.

WHILE YOU’RE TRAVELING

Never leave your devices unattended.
Limit the time you spend on public wireless networks, and avoid using them to access secure sites.
Disconnect your devices from public networks when you’re not using the Internet. Your device may be vulnerable to attack by other network users in your hotel or at the airport.
Don’t include your laptop in checked luggage when traveling by air or rail. Carry it with you instead.

IF YOU NEED TO USE A PUBLIC COMPUTER

Never access private, confidential information, including e-mail, using a public computer of any kind.
Always log out of all applications and computers after using them.
Do not save files to public computer hard drives, and remember to take any external storage devices with you.

IF YOU LOSE YOUR PHONE OR TABLET (PERSONAL OR HOFSTRA-OWNED)

If your device was set up to access your Hofstra Office 365 e-mail account, you can wipe ALL data from it by following these instructions.
You may also be able to wipe your device or track its location using tools available from your cellular provider.
If you don’t have access to a computer, contact the Service Desk at (516) 463-7777.

IF YOUR HOFSTRA-OWNED DEVICE IS STOLEN