Here are some digital security basics everyone should know.
1) Make sure all your apps are up-to-date
Updates are right at the top of the list of things you can do to stay protected. Along with new features, updates bring important security fixes and improvements. Anything you haven’t used in a long time and hasn’t gotten any updates is worth uninstalling. For everything else: don’t ignore the updates!
2) Be wary of Bad Links
Don’t just click on something because it promises to show you cute kittens. Always think twice before clicking on a link on a webpage or in an email from someone you don’t know. Check the address behind the link to make sure it’s legit.
3) “password” should never be your password
A good password is your first line of defense. Make sure you’re using a strong password for your accounts, and use different ones for each.
Now, we know how annoying making a strong password can be. So if you only do one thing: make it long! As in at-least-16-characters long.
Or you can use a password manage, example: Lastpass.com, they create strong random passwords and can remember them for you.
4) Delete sensitive files
Social Security numbers, bank statements, private photos... Leaving these things on your computer is just asking for trouble. Print them out and delete the original file.
There are ways of retrieving deleted files, so make sure you use a secure form of deletion.
Click here to learn more about how to Delete or recover deleted Gmail messages, link includes how to empty your trash.
Click here to learn more about how to Delete or recover deleted Gmail messages, link includes how to empty your trash.
Go ahead: try it on some file you were going to delete anyways.
5) Or keep them safe
If you need to keep sensitive data, don’t just leave it unprotected.
If you want to keep sensitive documents on the PC, then password-protect them. Make sure you understand your Sharing Settings in Google Drive.
If you want to keep sensitive documents on the PC, then password-protect them. Make sure you understand your Sharing Settings in Google Drive.
6) How to best keep your Google type files secure
- Set a screen lock for your mobile device. Check out Android here and iOS here
- If you use an iOS device, put a passcode on the Google Drive app
- Understand sharing settings for Google Drive and keep your files private (only you can access)
For more information on how to protect yourself from phishing strategies, visit Manhattan College’s ITS Blog post here.
If you feel that you might have been phished click here for more information on what to do next.
partially reposted from http://www.avg.com/us-en/digital-security-basics
