How to Secure Your Smartphone

How to set a passcode on an iPhone 3G and above:

  1. Go to “Settings”.
  2. Open “General”.
  3. Scroll down and tap on “Passcode Lock”.
    1. Please Note: The default iOS configuration is to set a four digit code.  To set an alphanumeric passcode, slide the “Simple Passcode” toggle button to “Off”. (The University requires at least an 8 character password.)
    2. Select “Turn Passcode On”.
    3. Enter your passcode.
    4. Re-enter your passcode to confirm a match.
    5. Set the “Require Passcode” to the desired time. (This will be the amount of idle time before the iPhone will require a passcode to be entered.)

Note:  Complex passwords are recommended.  In order to establish a complex password set the passcode to ‘ON’ and the simple passcode to ‘OFF’.  You will be prompted to enter a complex password which may consist of alphanumeric /symbols.  If you have already activated a simple password, turn it to the ‘OFF’ position which will enable the complex password option.

 

How to set a passcode on an Android phone:

  1. Go to “Settings”.
  2. Click on “Location & Security”. (It may just say “Security” depending on Android version)
  3. Click on “Change Screen Lock”.  (Language may vary depending on Android version)
  4. Select “Pattern”, “PIN”, or “Password”.
  5. Type and re-type your passcode.

 

****Note that instructions may vary depending upon operating system and device version.

Please email the Information Security Office with any additional questions.