How can I protect my personal laptop and mobile when I bring them to school?
First of all, check that you’re allowed to use personal ICT equipment, such as your own laptop or mobile, on the school premises. Your school’s rules on this should be outlined in the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).
It’s easy to leave a personal laptop or mobile behind in a classroom or other public place and they might fall into the wrong hands, so take care of it.
More than 10,000 mobiles are stolen in the UK every month (Source: Metropolitan Police, 2008), for example.
Fortunately, all UK mobile operators have signed up to a Mobile Phone Industry Crime Reduction Charter and are working with the Government and law enforcement agencies to tackle mobile theft.
Consider how frustrating it would be if your laptop or mobile went missing at school and whether you’d be worried about other people, such as students, accessing the data stored on it - be it text messages, emails, photos, phone numbers or documents.
Help to protect your personal ICT equipment
- Set up a robust password on your personal laptop and log out every time you use it
- Activate your mobile’s security code/PIN lock
- Make the most of security and privacy settings available on any online services (such as social networking sites) that you use
- Never leave your personal laptop or mobile unattended and keep them out of sight when you’re not using them
- Register your mobile with your network provider and keep a note of your mobile’s unique IMEI (identity) number (you can find it by typing *#06# on your mobile) in case you need to report it as missing
Where can I find out more?
- Check your school’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for guidance on bringing personal ICT equipment into school.
- Visit the Metropolitan Police website for further information on mobile security.
- Check your mobile provider’s website for information about how they can help with security (eg UV-marking your postcode on your handset).
- If your mobile is stolen, call your mobile network provider immediately - they can block use of the stolen mobile on all UK networks (even if the SIM card has been changed) and also report it to the police.