T-Mobile issues statement about mobile security and privacy

Following a week where celebrities like Paris Hilton had their private information stored on mobile devices and voice mail hacked and distributed, T-Mobile is giving the users their version and some advice.

The official information released by the company says that T-Mobile is worried by the growing phenomenon of personal data being illegally sought and distributed.

"We are aggressively implementing measures to address the recent incidents as reported in the media. This includes investigating the illegal dissemination of information over the Internet of T-Mobile customers' personal data without regard to personal privacy or decency," said Sue Swenson, chief operating officer, T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Some of the measures taken by T-Mobile include working with the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies to investigate criminal activity, including vandalism, theft or exposing of personal data. T-Mobile also says they are wrking with information security partners to address the recent developments, and investing in network security and customer data protection tools.

The company is also working on creating a new consumer campaign designed to help educate customers on steps they can take to help secure their own personal data. These steps include using passwords on the company's Web self-service tool my.t-mobile.com, attached to their account, and on voicemail box.

T-Mobile is asking users to be sure the password used to access their self-service website has a combination of letters and numbers. Regarding the voice mailbox password, it is recommended that users do not select the option to access the voicemail box without a PIN when calling from their own mobile phones.

The operator also recommends users to change passwords periodically, to monitor account activities by reviewing monthly billing statements and to contact the service center if the mobile device is lost, or suspicious activity is detected.