9 ways to easily keep Apple iPad safe

In this tutorial, I will show you some of the top tips to protect your iPad safely .

AT & T's recent data flaw has emphasized the need for iPad security precautions. Some simple steps can help protect data confidentially.

AT&T apologized last week for a vulnerability that revealed thousands of previous customer email addresses and said they would work with the law to prosecute those responsible.

A hacker group called Goatse Security hacked 114,000 users' email addresses, including important figures in politics, by exploiting an authentication page on AT & T's website. The group found that the site would return an email address associated with an iPad if they entered the correct serial number for the SIM card of that iPad. The group wrote a code to create a random series of serial numbers and query it on the website until it received the email addresses back.

AT&T emphasized that users need to take some action to protect themselves against this attack. As a multi-purpose computing device, the iPad easily encounters a variety of different attacks aimed at it. Jon Heimerl, director of security for Solutionary, a provider of security services for businesses, shared some tips on how users protect themselves to minimize attacks on themselves.

Always pay attention to the device . ' The most effective thing anyone can do to protect their iPad from security issues is to pay attention to it. Keeping the device within your physical control means you also have control over the device and access to the data. If you keep the physical control of your iPad, you will basically avoid a lot of security issues , 'Heimerl said.

Use passwords when using iPad in public places . The password will prevent unauthorized users from accessing your applications and information. However, passwords only provide limited protection; It can become useless when non-authenticated users have plenty of time to control your device. ' If someone has enough control over the iPad and has access to the computer, they can connect the iPad to the computer and remove the password, then log in to the device. In addition, an attacker can bypass encryption on the iPad that way, 'said Heimerl. Even if they don't have access to data, an attacker can reset the device, destroy your data and turn your device into their own device.

Another restriction on passwords: ' The keyboard you use to enter the password always appears at the same place on the screen '. So when you enter the password to access the device, it's easy to leave fingerprint templates at the keystroke locations. ' Obviously, if you never clean the screen and leave lots of fingerprints everywhere, the problem is okay, but it is still something to keep in mind when using the device .' Heimerl said so.

Enable automatic data deletion mode . ' You can configure the iPad to delete all user data on the device after 10 failed login attempts. This is good or bad depending on the quality of data backup and you '.

Heimerl added, 'The iPad will not actually delete data, it will only delete the key to open the data stored on the encrypted iPad. So if you don't have the keys to decode your data, the end result is basically the same . '

Limit the ability of the iPad . ' To add more control, the iPad allows users to restrict certain functions on the device ,' Heimerl said. Users can restrict access to Safari, YouTube, install applications and media content. ' This function is also encrypted so it can be configured by corporate administrators and users cannot change it ,' Heimerl said. Obviously, it can also be configured by the parent of the child who owns the iPad.

Using VPN : iPad allows you to encrypt all Wi-Fi traffic using the Virtual Private Network (VPN) service.

Use MobileMe. For only $ 99 per year, you can use Apple's MobileMe service, which offers a variety of tools for data synchronization, backup and security, 'including audio playback capabilities. The frequency and display of the iPad notification is lost if you forget it, 'Heimerl said. ' If your iPad is stolen or lost, you can access MobileMe from a computer and can display the device's location on the map to help search. You can also use MobileMe to synchronize information between multiple information, share information via iDisk and when really desperate, can remotely delete devices, so all the above information Your device will be wiped clean, including sensitive information . '

However, ' If the remote iPad is not connected via a mobile phone network or Wi-Fi network, it will not receive commands to delete remote data, the attacker will surely know it and have You can avoid the device from accessing the network and try to hack the iPad before connecting it back to the network . '

Heimerl added, 'The iPad also supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. Remote wipe function can be activated via ActiveSync. MS Exchange ActiveSync can also be used to enforce many other control actions and extended password policies in addition to what the iPad can support originally . '

Jailbreak carefully. ' Jailbreaking is hacking an iPad so you can install non-Apple applications and have access beyond Apple's control , ' Heimerl explained. ' This method gives users more control over their device, but it also removes some of the controls that could make the iPad safer than a computer. In any case, jailbreaking will make the iPad significantly change the control inside the device, so the security issue on a jailbroken iPad will be unpredictable. Besides, jailbreaking an iPad will hit the device warranty '.

Share carefully . " iPad is basically a device for personal users, " Heimerl said. Unlike Mac or PC, you can't create multiple user accounts on the iPad and lock access to information between accounts, anyone who has access to the iPad can access all the information on the device. suffered, including email, browser and personal information. However, users can protect their privacy in a number of ways, disable the option to automatically fill fields in the browser, delete browser history, cookies and cache on a regular basis, Heimerl to speak.

In addition, users can use the same software as 1Password, a software that encrypts information stored in the application.

Install software upgrades . Apple often upgrades their operating system software on all devices to provide the latest patches. ' In order for your system to get the latest updates or patches, you need to connect your system to iTunes on your computer on a regular basis ,' Heimerl said. ' If a remote system does not have iTunes or is not connected for a long enough time, it is likely that the system will lack important updates and patches and so it is very vulnerable .'

Are you worried about the security of your iPad? How do you protect yourself? Please share with us and other readers!