The Best Ways to Stay Safe Online
Tips and Tricks to Protect Yourself Online
In the age of digital connectedness and accessibility, more and more personal and business activities are moving online. Here are our best tips for keeping your organization’s online presence secure no matter what you’re doing.
Keep your devices updated
Making sure your phone, computer, and other electronic devices are consistently up-to-date is the first step toward being safe on the internet. You can make it easier by turning on automatic updates for both handheld and desktop devices — Android, Chrome OS, iOS, macOS, and Windows all offer this option.
Keep software applications up to date
Internet browser and chat apps are the easiest to become compromised, so make sure you’re updating applications regularly to increase security and privacy. On your phone, tablet, or computer it’s easy to select the “auto update” feature so that the apps will automatically download and install the newest version as soon as it becomes available.
Stay on top of your privacy settings
Thoroughly review settings for business and personal applications, as well as social media and networking sites and apps, to make sure you are properly controlling the flow of your personal information. You can personalize privacy settings, stop information sharing, reduce unsolicited marketing emails, block users, and remove personal/contact info from your profile.
Back up important files
Photos, videos, and documents can be safeguarded by being stored on an external hard drive or a cloud service (like Google Drive, Dropbox or iCloud). Backups will ensure that your data will be safe from technical glitches, accidental deletion, and external attacks. Pro tip: Combine a cloud backup with an external drive stored at an off-site location, such as RMC’s secure data vault, for an added layer of security and disaster recovery planning.
Implement a password manager
Rule number one of online security: Each platform or login should have its own unique credentials. This way, if one password is compromised, the rest of your accounts still stay safe! The best way to have a unique, random and secure password for each site is to use a password manager — this way, you don’t have to think up dozens of your own combinations.
Keep your account information up-to-date
Planning an “annual account check” is a great way to remember to confirm that your account details, email addresses, phone numbers, etc., are all listed as the most recent information. It’s also the prime opportunity to update weak or redundant passwords with the password manager you’ve implemented! These steps increase both security and the likelihood of recovering a compromised account successfully.
Use multi-factor authentication on sensitive accounts
Utilizing multi-factor authentication (MFA) will provide a second – or even third — layer of protection by requesting further proof of an attempted user’s identity and clearance. This is a great option for Gmail, Dropbox, Facebook, iCloud, and financial platforms.
Upgrade to physical security keys
For vital accounts such as your email, social media, and cryptocurrency-related sites, it’s worth setting up extra precautions by investing in external FIDO2 security keys. These devices provide a more stringent level of security than any other MFA technology. They are literally phishing proof!
Be attentive to security warnings
Taking internet browser alerts seriously is perhaps the most overlooked advice regarding maintaining online safety. Every up-to-date internet browser indicates a potential threat to your security if you are about to visit a questionable website. When you see this warning, don’t ignore it! The same goes for files that you may attempt to download. Trust your computer’s antivirus and security measures!
Review and upgrade your security software
Make sure your antivirus and firewall applications are working properly. Do the research to find security software and hardware that meets the requirements of your business and customers, then make sure it’s installed properly. Lastly, once installed, complete routine checks and always review prompts for suspicious activity or potential threats to the health of your network and devices.
Are you in need of professional services to keep your information safe? Contact us today to learn more about how Records Management Center can help your organization improve information security and compliance.