PORTABLE TERMINAL AND INFORMATION PROTECTION METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable terminal and an information protection method which enable a holder of the portable terminal to properly use the portable terminal and also can rigidly maintain security when the portable terminal is stolen or lost.SOLUTION: A portable terminal 1 comprises: a storage unit 16 including a first storage area 161 and a second storage area 162 which stores an electronic certificate including an encryption key; an encryption unit 174 for encrypting information stored in the storage unit 16 by the encryption key; a first attachment unit 13 for attaching an IC card 2 including a memory storing identification information for identifying a user of the portable terminal 1; an attachment determination unit 171 for determining whether the IC card 2 is attached by the first attachment unit 13; and an invalidation control unit 172 for invalidating the electronic certificate stored in the second storage area 162 when the attachment determination unit 171 has determined that the IC card 2 is not attached by the first attachment unit 13 for a predetermined time.