Spring is in the air! It’s time to open the windows and let warm breezes freshen up homes that have been battened down for winter. Spring is always a good time to take stock of what has accumulated in your life and clean the world around you — take donation runs, prepare your garden, and vacuum out your car.
It is also a good idea to tidy up your digital world, both to simplify your life and to tighten your security. While 46% of the respondents of a 2021 Consumer Privacy Survey done by Cisco said they “feel they are unable to effectively protect their data,” you don’t have to be one of the people who feel uncertain of how to manage their online presence this spring. Here are some practical tips to prepare your personal data and devices for a season of travel and adventure:
1. Get in the habit of turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while in public.
Public Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both greatly convenient and terribly unsecured. Always consider if you need to utilize these free services, since you never know who else has access to the network. Do not utilize public Wi-Fi to access sensitive work information, or your own personal private data such as banking information. If possible, use a VPN or create a mobile hot spot with your phone to avoid using a public network, and keep your phone’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi options turned off when they are not actively in use.
2. Go through your devices and delete applications that you are not using.
Not only are these applications cluttering up your desktop and taking up space on your phone, but they are additional services that may have access to your personal data and thus can be compromised.
3. Update the applications you are using.
New updates to apps and operating systems are not only about having the shiniest software features available; these updates include security patches for new cyber threats. Having up-to-date applications mitigates many vulnerabilities that could leave you susceptible to cyberattacks.
4. Check on your privacy settings.
Every application you use will have different privacy settings, and will request to access different information. Take a bit of time to see which apps are tracking your location, have access to your photos or calendar, or can view your contact directory. Limit the data the apps can use, especially taking into account their purpose and which permissions they need to function. The National Cyber Security Alliance has compiled collection of helpful information to guide you in updating the privacy settings of your accounts.
5. Check your password hygiene.
Utilize unique passwords for each account you maintain. Do not re-use passwords. Do not store them in one easy to access online document, or a sticky note on your work computer. To check whether your passwords have been exposed in any breaches, reference a site like Have I Been Pwned. If the password has been in a breach, do not use it again. Consider using a password manager — a password storage option that protects all of your passwords and passphrases, and may even create unique passwords and alert you when they have been breached.
6. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) whenever possible.
According to figures cited by US National Cyber Security Chief in 2021, the use of MFA could prevent between 80% and 90% of cyber attacks. Here at DriveStrike, we highly encourage the use of MFA whenever possible. Something as simple as having an SMS message sent with a one-time code can save you a world of grief. Services like Google and Proton Mail offer MFA, as well as many healthcare portals, insurance portals, and other online services. Check wherever your data is stored to see if you can enable this effective safeguard.
7. Invest in the security of your hardware.
Companies can have the luxury of IT Departments and security guards monitoring their office complexes, but the average household can take steps to protect their devices and WiFi networks without a team of professional security analysts. Actions as simple as putting devices away in a locked cabinet when not in use, securing your home router, opting for an economical software to track and remotely lock cell phones and computers, or taking the steps to secure your home office can make a massive difference when it comes to personal data security.
8. Finally, make data security a habit.
Storage and data statistics show that “public and private cloud infrastructure will receive 200+ zettabytes (ZB) of data by 2025”. Our household devices are connected via WiFi and Bluetooth both to us and to each other, and that is only expected to grow in a world increasingly investing in systems and technologies that expand the Internet of Things (IoT) into every aspect of the modern world. Understanding this reality does not mean you have to live in fear, burn your cell phone, and move into an underground bunker. Being aware of the risks allows you to make smart choices with your online footprint, and make healthy choices when weighing the trade offs between convenience and cyber security.
Spring is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts; a perfect time to reassess and freshen up your data security actions and attitudes. There is no escaping the fact that our world is going increasingly digital. Be aware of vulnerabilities and threats, and takes steps like the ones above to be vigilant. Remember, your information is yours. Teach yourself to view it as such, and protect it as would any other possession.
It’s a new season! Turn over a new security leaf and go forward with a spring in your step.
About DriveStrike
DriveStrike is an all-in-one endpoint security solution that combines the best of geolocation, remote device locking and wiping, and encryption management options through one intuitive online console. Protect all of your devices through one account and feel confident you can secure your data in seconds. Feel free to ask us any questions, and sign up for your 30 Day Free Trial to begin protecting devices today. Your security is our priority!