As technology advances, so do the methods used by cybercriminals to steal data. Data security is critical for everyone. Whether you want to keep your data safe on your home computer or protect sensitive business data, ensuring proper safeguards is vital.
At PCS, our experienced team has created a list of our top tips for making your digital environment safer and more secure.
Good password hygiene is crucial to keeping your accounts secure. Here are a few tips for creating strong passwords and other password hygiene tips:
Don’t reuse the same password when creating passwords for your accounts. Each account should have its own unique password to ensure that if one account is hacked, the others are not compromised.
When creating a password, be sure it is strong. This means incorporating at least 16 characters, lower and uppercase letters, symbols, and numbers. Avoid common dictionary words, sequential letters or numbers, and personal information such as a pet’s name.
It can be challenging to remember all your passwords, so to help keep track, you can use a secure password manager. This will store your passwords in a secure digital vault that you will use a master password to access.
To clear out unused or old credentials in your password manager, review all stored entries and identify outdated or unnecessary accounts. Most password managers provide a search or sorting feature to help filter credentials by usage or creation date. Once identified, delete credentials for no longer active or relevant accounts. If you’re unsure whether an account is still in use, consider updating the password instead of deleting it.
Additionally, ensure that any removed credentials are backed up or noted elsewhere if they might be needed in the future. Finally, enable features like breach alerts or security audits in your password manager to identify weak or compromised passwords, further improving your account security.
The more digital accounts you have, the higher the risk of your data being stolen and misused since many go unused and unmonitored. To help reduce this risk, you can audit your digital accounts and remove the ones you no longer use or older accounts that are no longer useful or relevant.
To find your old accounts, search in your web browser, where most of your login information for websites you’ve accessed will be saved. You can find this information in the settings menu of most browsers:
This can give you a place to start finding old or unused accounts that need to be deleted. You will also want to check your password managers and apps. Also, check if you have any logins written down in a notebook or document on your computer.
Once you’ve compiled a list of accounts that need to be deleted, it’s time to take action. Some accounts can be difficult to delete, but typically, you will be able to go to the settings menu of the account and access sections such as “account,” “privacy,” or “profile.” Sometimes, the settings menu will provide you with a “delete account” button or something similar.
If you have no luck there, FAQs on the site, forums, or official support pages can also be helpful. The privacy policy for the account may also offer information on how to delete or deactivate your account.
Forgotten or unmanaged subscriptions can cause unnecessary financial strain and potential security risks. Even small monthly charges can add up over time, causing you to overspend on services you don’t use anymore.
It’s also important to note that your inactive accounts can become vulnerable to security breaches, especially when they contain outdated payment details or weak passwords.
To control your subscriptions, start by reviewing your bank statements or using a subscription management tool to identify any of your recurring charges.
Log into each service to check the billing cycle and cancellation policy. Most common streaming services are easy to cancel through the account settings, but some require additional steps, such as contacting customer support to initiate a cancellation.
After cancellation, check for a confirmation email to avoid any unexpected charges. Regularly auditing and canceling unused subscriptions can save money and minimize your risk of being hacked.
Keeping your digital files organized is critical for security. Start by categorizing your files into relevant folders with clear, consistent names. Delete all duplicate, outdated, or unnecessary files to free up storage and enhance your device’s efficiency.
You should regularly review your cloud storage platforms and local drives to prevent clutter. To prevent unauthorized access, securely delete sensitive data utilizing tools that will ensure permanent removal, such as file shredding software. This will help reduce security risks associated with old or forgotten data while creating a more organized and productive workspace.
Old files, especially ones containing personal or sensitive information, can pose security risks if left unattended. Before deleting, it is critical to back up important files to a secure location to prevent data loss.
Strengthening your security through two-factor authentication (2FA) is vital for protecting critical accounts. Many platforms offer 2FA options, including SMS codes, authentication apps, and hardware security keys. To activate 2FA, visit your account’s security settings and enable the preferred authentication method to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. This can also help prevent access if your password becomes compromised.
It’s important to understand that not all 2FA methods offer the same level of security. Reassess your accounts using 2FA to ensure you use the most effective authentication method, such as app-based authenticators (Google Authenticator, Authy) or hardware tokens, which are more secure than SMS-based 2FA.
Also, update backup codes and recovery options to prevent being locked out of your accounts. Regularly reviewing your 2FA settings ensures that your security measures remain up-to-date and effective.
An audit is crucial to maintaining security across all digital devices. Identify all computers, smartphones, tablets, and smart devices linked to your accounts and ensure they are secure. Keep up with any operating system and software updates to patch security vulnerabilities.
Old or unused devices linked to your accounts can pose security risks. Check account settings for a list of authorized devices and remove any no longer in use. Before disposing of or repurposing old devices, perform a factory reset and securely wipe all stored data.
For extra security, deauthorize old devices from cloud services and update account passwords. Taking these steps helps prevent unauthorized access and keeps your digital environment secure.
At PCS, we are experts in IT services and managed IT solutions, providing the tools and advice you need to keep your data safe and secure. From robust security solutions to employee IT security training, our comprehensive approach will keep your business safe from cyber threats and data breaches.
Contact us today to learn more!
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