Get That New Device Secured ASAP
Did you get a laptop, phone, or tablet PC at holiday time? Congratulations—and beware. New computing devices are vulnerable to attack when they’re first fired up, and hackers know it. Before you dive into apps and entertainment, take a few minutes to lock down your device and protect your data. Here’s how:
- Install updates immediately. Before doing anything else, run system updates. Manufacturers release patches to fix vulnerabilities, and skipping them leaves your device exposed.
- Enable automatic updates. Don’t rely on memory. Turn on automatic updates for your operating system and apps to stay protected against emerging threats.
- Activate built-in security features. Use device encryption, firewalls, and biometric authentication (like fingerprint or facial recognition) to add layers of defense.
- Set strong, unique passwords. Avoid easy-to-guess passwords; use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, and never reuse passwords across accounts.
- Turn on multifactor authentication. MFA adds an extra step—such as a text code or app prompt—making it much harder for attackers to access your accounts.
- Install trusted security software. Choose reputable antivirus and anti-malware tools. Free options exist, but paid versions often provide stronger protection.
- Secure your wifi connection. Change your router’s default password and enable WPA3 encryption if available. Public wifi? Always use a VPN for safety.
- Review app permissions. Limit apps’ access to your location, contacts, and camera. Unnecessary permissions can create privacy risks.
- Back up your data. Use cloud storage or an external drive. Backups ensure you won’t lose critical files if your device is compromised.
