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Anything that can go digital is going digital. This was a clear trend long before COVID19 and the pandemic has only strengthened it. Going digital has brought huge benefits, the pandemic has shown that. It has, however, also brought an increased need for effective and up-to-date cybersecurity. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to improve your cybersecurity.
Ditch outdated operating systems
The WannaCry attack of 2017 wreaked expensive havoc around the world, but it shouldn’t have. In simple terms, it was only able to do so because so many people were either using an outdated operating system (namely Windows XP) or not applying security patches upon release. A patch was made available for Windows 7 a full two months before the attack.
If you’re still on the fence about installing Windows 10 then, for your security, it’s probably time to get off. If you need help to find your Windows 10 product key, please click here. If you must use an older version of Windows then inform yourself about its security vulnerabilities and stay offline as much as possible.
Similar comments apply to macOS, ChromeOS, iOS, and Android. Ideally, you want to be on the most recent version of any of these. Certainly, you want to be within a generation or two of it.
Update or delete your apps
Essentially the same comments apply here. Even though apps are increasingly cloud-based, you still need to update the local software. That goes for your tablet and cell as well as your computer.
Make sure you have security software on all your devices
For practical purposes, "all your devices" means your computer, tablet, and cell. The key point to note, however, is that your mobile devices need protection too. In fact, you could argue that they need protection even more than your regular devices because they’re more vulnerable to being lost or stolen.
Most devices will let you set some sort of access control. This could be a password, a PIN, or a biometric control. Whatever it is, it’s advisable to set it. If you use passwords, make them strong ones, and implement two-factor authentication whenever you have the option.
Keep your sensitive data encrypted, offline or both
If you’re running a business you must protect all sensitive data you hold. There’s a good chance this is the law, but even if it isn’t you still need to do it. For practical purposes, this means keeping all sensitive data encrypted and storing it offline as much as possible (in encrypted form).
If you’re a private individual, then keeping data encrypted may be a bit of a challenge for you. If it is, then you must keep your sensitive data offline at all times (unless you are actually entering it into a form). In order for data to be truly offline, you either need to detach the storage from your computer or switch off your computer.
Anything attached to a powered-on computer can potentially be accessed by malicious actors. Nobody is “too small to be a target”, not even private individuals. If there’s one cybersecurity lesson to take away from 2020, this is it!
