A recent hacker attack on iPads makes it plain that users of the new Apple tablet need to be careful.

This multipurpose device is susceptible to a number of attacks in part, because it performs so many functions. And many of those attacks could cost the user money or jeopardize company data.

Here are nine important tips on iPad protection from the enterprise security experts at Solutionary, via the folks at Computerworld:

1. Hang onto it: Maintaining physical control of the device is nine-tenths of effective security.
2. Use a passcode when using it in public: This blocks unauthorized app/info access to apps and info. For long-term security, physical control’s needed so it can’t be wiped.
3. Enable automatic data erasing: This wipes your data after 10 failed passcode attempts. This is only a good idea if you back up faithfully.
4. Restrict capabilities: This adds additional controls and can be passcoded so admins can configure them but users can’t change them.
5. Use a VPN: This will allow you to encrypt all WiFi traffic, using your VPN service. Great for public use of the iPad by road warriors.
6. Try out MobileMe: Yes, you have to pay for it, but it’ll be worth the price if you want to find your device when it’s lost or stolen. Mobile Me also lets you remotely wipe the device of all data.
7. Jailbreak cautiously: Jailbreaking the device can drastically alter its controls and voids your warranty.
8. Be stingy about sharing: These are really single user devices and don’t support multiple user accounts. Every user has total access to all the data on the device. Nuff said.
9. Update, update, update: Apple’s better than many companies about updating devices to deal with vulnerabilities. Updating’s easy. Do it.

Tags: hackers, iPad, jailbreak, MobileMe