subject: Are You Puzzled With Your Ipad Security? Learn How To Ensure It! [print this page] Are you among those iPad users who are puzzled with security? The iPad is one of the safest computing devices that you have got. A person well-versed with iPads combination of hardware and software security will find it more secure a device than a Mac or any other PC. Although no remote security attack has been reported till date, you still have the risk of your iPad being misplaced and subsequently lose all your valuable information.
Therefore it is very important to know about the measures you can adopt to ensure the security of your device. Implementing a combination of data backup, encryption and remote wipe can be very effective for the iPad.
Here are few steps that can help you ensure complete security of your iPad:
Keep a backup of all your data
Use the iCloud and iTunes services to keep a backup of your documents, emails, audio and video files, etc. Online data backup is the safest way to secure all your data especially in an event of theft or burglary of your device. All it requires is a monthly subscription which offers you unlimited storage as well.
Encrypt data with a password
Encrypt all your important documents, emails, attachments and other files with a password. To enable password protection, go to:
Settings General Pass code Lock
Type your desired password to enable protection. In case you want to ensure further safety, go for the longer code by choosing to turn off the Simple Pass code option. Here you will get the option to choose the minimum length of pass code. This has to be activated by creating a new profile on the General Tab with your name and an identifier.
If the iPad is used by you only, turn the security settings to Always On. You can also disable the other from changing the security settings without your permission. This will prevent anybody from breaching the privacy of your data. Besides, it will also prevent rogues from intruding your device by getting past the pass code.
In order to organize all your financial information, viz, credit card number, login details and other personal details, you can use third party applications. This is more recommended especially if you log on to many websites with different passwords. An application like SplashID Safe for $9.99 would keep all your passwords organized in one place.
Use Remote Wipe
This is a must-have for all iPad and other mobile-computing device users. In case your device gets stolen, you can use this tool to erase all the personal information from your iPad remotely. Create a MobileME account and enable Find My iPad in Settings/Mail Contacts, Calendars/MobileME. Just log on via the internet and you can ensure data on your iPad getting scrubbed off.
Additionally, you can use a web-based security application like WaveSecure iOS Edition which allows you to back up data on the web portal. Here you can restore data and can also lock the stolen iPad. You can get this from the App Store at $19.99
Set your iPad up on a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
For an absolutely secure browsing experience, the iPad will also allow you to connect through a virtual private network (VPN). To setup your iPad on a VPN go to:
Settings General Network VPN
Then choose Add VPN Configuration.
It is equally important to keep your e-mail accounts and attachments secured. Although data protection encrypts your email attachments, the moment you send them off to an app such as pages, you can use a special secure email server tool like good enterprise (macworld.com/7202) if you want to ensure further protection. It's a free iPad application from the Apples App Store.
To ensure security, a powerful mobile-computing device such as the iPad, requires taking quite a few security measures. From theft to breach of privacy, data can be lost in many different ways. Keep an eye on the usage of your iPad especially if it is being used by someone other than you. As everyone is not well-updated on data security, even a slightest ignorance can cost you a lot. Look out for software updates as they are often based on security loopholes. For further help, you may consult an online technical support website.
