Coronavirus And Your Phone

If you haven't cleaned your phone in a while, this might make you think twice before holding it up to your face the next time you have a phone call. Your phone can spread germs between you and other people. Here are some ways to keep it clean and disinfected.

Keeping your smartphone clean is a good idea under normal circumstances. But with the threat of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, a good cleaning is essential to protect yourself and other people from potentially getting infected.

To avoid any scratches to the screen, the best thing to use is a micro-fibre cloth, the small cloths that come with glasses or camera lenses work well.

Disinfect your Phone: Wipes, not pure Alcohol

If you touch your phone after touching a public door handle or grocery cart, you may immediately think to clean it with rubbing alcohol. Don't. Straight alcohol can strip the oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings that keep oil and water from damaging your display and other ports.

Dunking the phone in water or running it under a faucet will get water into the ports, which means you won't be able to charge it until they're dry, and that can take time. Remember that having a water-resistant phone is more about peace of mind than it is about purposely taking your phone for a swim.

Some websites suggest creating a mix of alcohol and water yourself, but it's crucial to get the concentration right. Get it wrong and you could damage your phone. The safest bet is to use disinfectant wipes that contain 70% isopropyl alcohol to clean your phone screen.

In the past, Apple had discouraged users from cleaning an iPhone with alcohol or disinfectant wipes for fear of damaging the screen and coating.

But with the coronavirus outbreak, Apple has updated its guidelines with more leeway and says to use such things as Clorox disinfecting wipes and avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents, but don't use on fabric or leather surfaces.

Cleaning for Smartphones

Several phone cleaning and sanitising products are available commercially. Typically, these take the form of containers into which you place your phone or wands that you pass over your device.

Such products can be more gentle and safer than wipes and can more thoroughly clean every area of your phone. PhoneSoap 3 UV sanitizer is one product that neutralises bacteria on your phone and lets you charge it at the same time.

Tips to keep your phone clean while using it.

Beyond cleaning your phone, think about how you use it. During a typical conversation, you place your phone up to your ear where germs can potentially spread via face contact.

During an outbreak such as coronavirus, try to use your phone on speaker or through a headset or earbuds whenever possible.

Sharing your phone with other people obviously is a risky practice these days. If you must share your phone with someone else, ask that person to conduct the conversation via the speaker or a headset.

If you don't already enwrap your phone in a case, now is a good time to do so. Beyond using it to protect your phone, you can easily remove the case to thoroughly wash it as needed.

Finally, be careful where you place your phone, especially in public places. When you need to put your phone down or away, keep it on your person rather than placing it on a counter or, other objects in public.

www.cnet.com     www.techrepublic.com            www.independent.co.uk

 

 

 

« Why 5G Technology Is A Geopolitical Issue
Redefining OSINT To Win The Cybercrime War »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North IT (North Infosec Testing) are an award-winning provider of web, software, and application penetration testing.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

International Security Management Association (ISMA)

International Security Management Association (ISMA)

ISMA is an international security association of senior security executives from major business organizations located worldwide.

Identify Security Software

Identify Security Software

Our mission is to bring in a new age of autonomous human authentication in the security and identity space.

Brighter AI

Brighter AI

Brighter AI empowers companies to use publicly-recorded camera data for analytics & AI while being compliant with increasing data privacy regulations worldwide.

Infosec Partners

Infosec Partners

Whether you’re looking for complete managed security or an on-call expert advisor, we offer a range of managed security services to complement your internal team or primary outsource partner.

Microland

Microland

Microland’s delivery of digital is all about making technology do more and intrude less for global enterprises. Our services include Cloud & Data Center, Networks, Cybersecurity and more.

CyberGuard Technologies

CyberGuard Technologies

CyberGuard Technologies provides a suite of fully managed end-to-end security services from its 24/7 UK security operations centre.

Aura

Aura

Aura is a mission driven technology company dedicated to creating a safer internet for everyone. We’re making comprehensive digital security that's simple to understand and easy to use.

Security Risk Management (SRM)

Security Risk Management (SRM)

SRM provide a comprehensive security risk management service encompassing people, processes, technology, governance, compliance and risk management.

FCI

FCI

FCI is a NIST-Based Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) offering Cybersecurity Compliance Enablement Technologies & Services to Financial Services organizations.

Prancer

Prancer

Prancer is the industry's first cloud-native, self-service SAAS platform for automated security validation and penetration testing in the cloud.

Singtel Innov8

Singtel Innov8

Singtel Innov8, the venture capital arm of the Singtel Group, invests in and partners with innovative technology start-ups globally.

Advent One

Advent One

Advent One are recognised for solving intricate dilemmas, not only making technology work but building foundations that customers can grow upon in an effective and secure way.

IPKeys Cyber Partners

IPKeys Cyber Partners

IPKeys Cyber Partners, together with the IPKeys Power Partners unit, provide Cyber Security and CIP Compliance for utilities, grid operators and public safety organization across the USA.

Globesecure Technologies

Globesecure Technologies

Globesecure Technologies is a networks and cyber security company. We are here to resolve business security challenges and secure the digital transformation journey of our clients.

SEALSQ

SEALSQ

For the last 25 years, SEALSQ have been developing secure semiconductor chips, secure embedded firmware, and tested hardware provisioning services to serve the vision of a safer connected world.

Ipseity Security

Ipseity Security

Ipseity Security provide security-centric advisory and consulting services for organizations to secure their perimeter-less digital transformation to meet business and security requirements.