Safeguard Your Devices – A Back to School Guide

By Matthew Sorenson

It is that time of year again. Students are heading back to colleges and universities across the country. Their minds are focused on moving into new dorm rooms and apartments, buying supplies and books, and registering for classes. Today, parents are pressured more than ever to ensure their children have all of the technology necessary to help them succeed in the classroom and entertain themselves during the limited time between study sessions, office hours, and the infamous "all-nighters."

In such a fast-paced and high-pressure environment, dependability is key. Even just one power surge, fall on the sidewalk, or nasty virus can send their student into a state of technological panic.

Here are five tips to help protect those precious devices while in college:

• Insure all devices - Many homeowners’ insurance policies cover (or have the option to cover for an additional cost) a student's devices while away at college. Such policies typically include a deductible and a limit of around 10% of the total coverage. This option usually applies only to students living in school-affiliated housing. For students living off-campus, a renter’s insurance policy can be purchased for around a few hundred dollars per year. There are even companies such as National Student Services, Inc. that specialize in providing insurance to college students for their personal property (such as laptops, clothing, and bikes), insuring against several common forms of damage and loss.

• Back up - Many students are unaware that their schools offer backup storage to students, often for free. Backup storage is usually provided through a shared drive. If this is not provided, it is wise to purchase an external hard drive or even a USB drive that can be plugged in on the go and used to periodically save work. There are also free storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive that are available online. Apple mobile device users can also take advantage of an iCloud account as a potential storage option.

• Lock it up - Let's not forget about the good ol' fashioned method to prevent theft... lock it up! Many laptops have a slot that allows it to be securely locked to a desk or bedpost (handy for shared living situations). Computer security settings can be adjusted so that a password is always required after the screen saver engages or goes into sleep mode.

• Change passwords frequently – It is wise to regularly change passwords across all devices. Be sure to use letters, numbers, capitalization and special characters. For mobile devices like the iPhone, it is a good idea to avoid the Simple Passcode option if at all possible.

• Avoid storing sensitive information on your phone or tablet - This one is so simple yet it is very often overlooked... and can have painful consequences. Do not store any passwords or login information on a cell phone. Since cell phones are notorious for being misplaced due to their size and frequent use, all it takes is one opportunity for personal accounts to be breached. Instead, use a safe or lock box to store account information. If a phone or tablet is ever lost, be sure to report it right away.