11. Be Secure

Most of the best qualities of the iPad can also be liabilities. It’s portable, so you’re more likely to take it with you to a coffee shop or to class, where there’s greater chance of losing it or having it stolen. Being out “in the wild” also increases the chance that the wireless network you connect to—or even someone at the next table—is scanning for sensitive data like credit card numbers. The iPad stores your personal digital information, so a thief would have access to your contact information.

Security isn’t all cloak-and-dagger stuff, though. If you’re sharing an iPad among your family, you may not want the kids to get online and download all of their favorite albums from the iTunes Store—on your credit card. With some reasonable precautions, you can make your iPad experience more secure.