Let’s face it, our smartphones and tablets know a lot about our reporting. While it’s an awful feeling to lose your device, the actual gadget is easily replaced.

However, if your device ends up in the wrong hands, any stored contact, credit cards, passwords, communications and sensitive personal information could be more valuable to a cyber-criminal than what they would earn by selling the actual hardware.

Which leads me to ask… are you prepared to lose your device?

Do you know how to remote wipe your personal AND work devices?

If the answer is no, the criminals have an advantage—while you’re trying to figure it out, they could be downloading your sensitive data and winning.

All major smartphones have remote wiping capabilities; each device type requires a different setup.

* Apple uses an app called “Find My iPhone”

* “Android Lost” offers a wipe option * Visit this website for Windows phones

* Blackberry Protect is a free app

And remember, as journalists we need to make it as difficult as possible for cyber criminals—lock your device using a four-digit pin.

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