How can you protect your precious gadgets

In the past twenty years technology has completely revamped the gadgetry and paraphernalia we carry when travelling to work, the pub or school. In the 1970’s the most any man would carry was a wallet, a comb, car keys and perhaps a briefcase. Fast forward and our pockets would bulge if it wasn’t for smart clothing and bluetooth accessories.

I’ve lost the keys to the house before and I’ve lost a mobile phone too. Did you know the average person carries with them three to four digital devices wherever they go? This might include a mobile phone, a handheld gaming device, a smart watch, MP3 player and wireless headphones / earbuds, the lack of cable meaning it’s even easier to forget one or t’other.

Until some clever chap invents a device which can tag other devices and give a proximity alert if you walk more than a metre away from them – well there’s always the Tile Item Finder, protecting these quite often invaluable devices is paramount. Not only is it costly to replace the units if lost or damaged but the data inside is probably more important; photographs, videos of memories, contacts and so on.

In an age where you may also carry flash drives, portable chargers, laptop or an additional tablet, or more niche but increasingly popular smart pens and fitness trackers. How do you protect electronic devices when you’re out about? How is it possible to keep all these items and more secure, and if lost more easily found?

I know what you’re thinking, one way to go about it is to insure your product, for instance if you are buying a mobile phone on the shelf in the store, you should ask if they would cover your phone for lost or stolen, if you are buying online you can always opt for insurance while checking out, you can also opt to insure your mobile phone with the third party insurance companies. Though if you have tried to get an Apple product fixed by a third party and outside of the in-house servicing you should discuss the details and make sure you are not signing up for an expensive deal.

They are popular because they are designed in pretty colours and attractive fabrics and materials but a protective case for your mobile phone, laptop and table is still the most secure addition you can envelop your device with. Protecting against impacts and drops. Gorilla glass can break, and mobiles sink fast in a toilet.

If you walk through my home with a UV light and check all my electronics you’ll will find a number on the back and my name. These have been marked with a Security Marker Pen. Ink which is invisible to the naked eye until introducing a little Ultra Violet light. While it may not prevent a theft, it will allow the police and others to identify stolen goods.

Other ways to keep your devices safe are, keeping them out of the way of temptation and don’t leave devices on a table top, in a back pocket and don’t use full light on a mobile phone screen at night. Consider attachments that lock your devices to a belt while in the pub or desk while at work. If a device does get stolen consider software that both locates via ringing or GPS and wipes drives should such an action be necessary as soon as it is turned on, password broken or comes into wifi range.

Lastly, while cash is still king, banks and businesses are pushing the use of debit cards with swipe payment in the form of RFID chips without really considering how secure your money is. Did you know that thieves can walk past you with an electronic device, pretend they’re a shop and take an amount as you walk past? Investing in a RFID blocking slim wallet can do wonders for keeping your bank balance maintained.