Let me give you two good reasons for you to turn off the Wi-Fi on your phone…
There is a phrase “Big Brother is watching you”, and there is probably a generation gap that says some of us know it comes from George Orwell’s 1984 and others who think Channel Four has something to do with it! But we all know what it means – someone knows what you are doing and where you are doing it and you have no choice in the matter.
For those interested in their privacy here is a tip – Wi-Fi hotspots could be giving away your location even if you do not log into them. As part of the Wi-Fi protocol your phone will be transmitting a unique code (MAC address) that identifies your device and Wi-Fi hotspots can receive this data. Add this information to a database that has recorded your personal details and your phone’s MAC address and now you can be tracked without logging into a hotspot. Turning off your Wi-Fi means the hotspots can no longer see your phone. (Of course, you are connected to your telecoms provider and they can still work out where you are but that is another privacy issue.)
The second reason for turning off your Wi-Fi when you do not need it – if your personal privacy was not enough – it will extend the battery life of your device!
Thinking about your personal privacy is a good way for business owners and senior management to start to address the security of the information and assets under their stewardship.
If you do not know how you are going to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of your data but at the same time make is easily available for your team so they can work efficiently then you should meet up with me. The first and major step in this process is producing a simple document and I can show you how to do this and take you through the process to make your business more secure.
Clive
Clive is the CIO at Octagon Technology and has special responsibility for Privacy and Security. To understand these issues better he is currently studying on a distant-learners course for a MSc in Advanced Computer Security and Digital Forensics at Napier University.
If you would like to talk to Clive about security or privacy issues and feel you could buy him a cup of coffee give us a call on 01522 797520 and we will book some time with him for you.
