Have you ever worried about your tablet’s security? If not, you should. Networked gadgets are becoming increasingly interconnected every day, and just one social media account saved on a compromised iPad could lead to breaches on any number of other, more sensitive devices. If you own one of Apple’s popular tablets, you need to know about a newly discovered flaw that allows thieves to bypass security measures and access your device.

iPad owners who find themselves in the unfortunate situation of having their device stolen have the option to activate Apple’s Find My iPhone feature from icloud.com. If an iPad has this setting turned on, its GPS can be activated from any web browser to inform the owner where it is located.

Furthermore, if a user is concerned that the tablet may have been stolen, he or she can remotely lock the device. From the moment it is locked, the device can only be accessed by logging into the corresponding icloud.com account.

It’s a wonderfully intuitive feature, and tens of thousands of iPad owners have prevented data theft since it was first introduced by Apple in 2010. Unfortunately, security researchers recently announced a critical flaw that allows common thieves to totally bypass the remote lock feature simply by flooding login data fields with too many characters.

Apple is aware of the issue and has taken steps to address it with an operating system update. The latest version of iOS has fixed the issue for iPhones, but not for iPads.

Although we anticipate a patch to fix this flaw in the near future, the best way to avoid this predicament is to keep valuable data backed up separately from your iPad. One of the Find My iPhone options is to remotely wipe the device, which means as long as you aren’t permanently losing valuable data, the worst case scenario is losing nothing more than the tablet itself.

The more mobile our technology becomes, the more susceptible it is to physical security threats. It’s important to secure your devices not only from networked threats, but also from everyday ones, like someone nabbing your iPad while you step away from the table to order a coffee. For across-the-board security solutions and consulting, get in touch with us today.

The post Flaw allows thieves to open locked iPads appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..

When it comes to your smartphone, especially if you have an iPhone, there is rarely a month or a season that goes by without a new software update available for you to download. Foregoing the updates is tempting, especially when you are busy and just need to be on your phone. However, these updates are important, and the latest update for your iPhone, the iOS 10.1 update, is especially significant.

The latest update for iPhone and iOS users, referred to as the iOS 10.1 update, was launched on October 24, 2016. Its primary purpose is to address a serious security issue with the previous version of iOS. This security vulnerability should be of major concern to any iOS or iPhone user.

The security vulnerability addressed by the iOS 10.1 update was originally discovered by Tencent’s Keen Lab, specifically by a researcher named Marco Grassi. This vulnerability left a hole in the iOS programming that would allow a hacker or attacker to seize control of the phone, changing the code and performing commands after the iOS user opens a JPEG file (image file) that has been “maliciously crafted.”

Essentially, what this boils down to is that without the iOS 10.1 update, a corrupted image file could allow another person to control your device (iPad or iPhone). Even without downloading the file, this security hole could be taken advantage of by a hacker. If this is not enough reason to download the iOS 10.1 update, it also addresses other security issues and concerns that involve specific apps, the ability to see login password lengths through workaround hacks, and the like. Because of these specific issues and more, the iOS 10.1 update is a must-have for users of iPhones or iPads.

If keeping your phone and personal information secure are two of your biggest concerns, the iOS 10.1 update is a no-brainer. The sooner you update your device, the sooner you can feel safer using your iOS devices.

Installing security updates may be inconvenient, but they’re a necessity. If you need help managing software updates and keeping your business safe, contact us today.

The post Why you should download iOS 10.1 ASAP appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..

Ever wish you could get more work done with your iPad? You’re not alone. In fact, one of the main reasons people purchase an iPad in the first place is because they believe it will give them the ability to be more productive while out and about. The reality is that many individuals only end up using it to surf the web or watch Netflix. However, if you still harbour ambitions of making your iPad a productivity tool, here are the three things you need to make it happen.

Keyboard

We understand a lot of people buy an iPad because it doesn’t have a keyboard, but if you really want to be more productive using your iPad then a keyboard is a must have item. With both Microsoft Office and Google Apps for Work now available for use on iPads and iPhones, it means that it is now easy to create and edit documents and spreadsheets from your tablet. And it is far easier and quicker to edit them using a keyboard.

A number of iPad keyboards are available including Apple’s Smart Keyboard which acts as a case as well. Logitech’s Create keyboard is an alternative that will give your iPad the look and feel of a laptop. Both of these options connect to your iPad via the Smart Connector, but you’ll also find a number of Bluetooth keyboards on the market too. The key is finding a keyboard that you find comfortable to use.

Duet Display app

If you have ever worked in an office that let you use dual monitors, you know how awesome it is. Unfortunately, if you have to work from home or out on the road it means you are usually confined to the single screen of your laptop. However, with the Duet Display app, you can connect your iPad to a Mac computer operating on OS X 10.9 or above or a PC running Windows 7 or above and have it serve as your second monitor. Both mirror and extended desktop modes are available so you can capture the same feel of working at the office even if you can’t physically be there.

Stylus

Samsung Note users constantly rave about how much they love using their stylus but Apple continues to lag behind on this front. The software giant didn’t release their first stylus until late in 2015 and the functionality is still fairly basic. However, many third-party developers have stepped in to fill this gap by creating styluses for the iPad and now some heavy hitters including Microsoft are making their apps stylus compatible to increase your productivity options.

That’s great news, but the biggest productivity benefit of using a stylus is probably more of a mental one than any tangible gain. Holding and working with a pen, or in this case a pen-shaped device, feels more like traditional work and gets you in productivity mode. Since you likely use your fingers to navigate your iPad in more casual settings, this mindset can carry over to when it’s time to work. Investing in a stylus can create a clear divide as to when it’s time to work using your iPad and when it’s okay to open up your favorite freemium game and challenge for the high score.

Need more advice on how to boost your productivity when using an iPad? Want to see what work alternatives are available for mobile employees? Contact our experts for answers to these and any other questions you might have.

The post Get more productivity from your iPad appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..