 |
| Password Not Enough?! |
Six minutes to break an iPhone, and the phonelock is not an obstacle! Since reading this I have been thinking about what it means to me. Here is my breakdown:
First smart ass comment is "Don't lose your phone!" this is a certain secure protocol till it fails. Losing a phone is like having an accident. Shit happens, and some shit can't be prevented. It may or may never occur. Precautions help but aren't perfect. And people steal things. The more the smartphone is in your hand the more likely it will be lost. So being careful is the best security, but don't count on it as the only security.
The phonelock only keeps the average Punk from calling, or selling your phone to someone who calls all over the universe. Intergalactic charges are a bitch. If you lose your phone, call your carrier. And hope you can retain the AT&T unlimited data plan on the new phone number. Aggravating and costly. So use a phonelock.
Let's face the argument- If you don't have sensitive information on the phone it's "no big deal." Uh-huh. Usually not. I don't have my bank accounts and my home safe combo on the phone. But let's think more deeply. I do have my home address. And birthdays for some people. Pretty innocuous. Come to the house and see if you can get shot? Not really a cyber crime.
But where I do have to think awhile, I visit websites with passwords. If someone takes over my Google account and changes password I not only lose a bunch of mail and my websites, but I wonder what kind of important data is in my mailbox, from credit card companies, airlines, etc. And of course anywhere you leave a comment requires a password, I have a special one for these sites that only works on like worthless sites, unless there is something worthwhile in my profile? Nah, OK. How about Facebook? Well that won't matter, I assume there is no security on Facebook, so inspite of a strong password I have nothing of interest there.
Feeling safe, until I get into things like PayPal, Apple Store and Amazon. Have I accessed them with my phone? If so they may be on the keyring. Looks like I am in for a day of reviewing each site with a password, rationalizing them all, cleaning out the data they retain, and emptying my keychains. Then researching the various password generating apps for my computer and phone.
With family spread all over, online video calling is a great way to feel close. All the benefits of seeing your loved one, reading body language, looking around their abode, and just looking into their eyes ease the anxiety of living apart. 
So we went to the back-up plan, good old Skype. This reliable software has been working for us for a couple of years, and has gotten better and better. Since we use it, it is as easy as FaceTime to make a call, or a video call. I was on my iPhone, my other party on a computer. Then I switched to my computer. The video wasn't perfect, it was a bit laggy, but it was more than adequate. 
Today I was able to use my iPhone as a payment card. Worked without a hitch, went fast and, since my phone is in my hand while I wait in line, I saved time.
