Archives - Security Best Practice


Use fake answers for security questions

Many account recovery features include answering security questions such as your father’s middle name or the city you grew up in. But you don’t necessarily have to use real answers, which would make someone trying to break into your account unable to even if they knew such information. If you want to say your father’s […]

Don’t provide personal information to a website unless the “S” is present in “https”

The hyperlink bar in your web browser will tell you when a connection is secure by adding an “S” to the end of “http” in your browser. If the “S” isn’t present, it means the connection is not encrypted and the information being sent over the network isn’t private.

Never throw out old hard drives without securely destroying them, even if they don’t work

This might seem like a pain, but hard drives don’t lose their data very easily. If you want the information on a hard drive to be permanently eliminated, make sure the parts that house the data are destroyed before discarding it. This means destroying the platters and circuit board inside the hard drive completely beyond […]

Delete apps and programs you no longer use from your phone, tablet, and computer

Apps and programs often require special permissions to function, such as being able to access your camera or personal data. There’s no reason to have unused apps with special permissions from a security standpoint, so it’s best to delete any apps or programs you no longer use, just to be safe. Besides, many of these […]

Use WPA2 encryption whenever possible for Wi-Fi networks

Virtually all modern routers support WPA2 encryption, which is far more secure than WPA or WEP encryption. Make sure the encryption you’re using on the router is WPA2 so you know the information it’s broadcasting is safe. If your router doesn’t support WPA2, it might be wise to get a new device that does.

Prop up your defenses with internet security software

Alertness can go a long way in staving off phishing, even of the most high-level variety. At the same time, it’s suggested you have reliable security software in place to continuously protect your system against the latest threats. Try Ultimate Internet Security from Total Defense to get you started.