Archives - Security Best Practice

Don’t believe news sources you don’t recognize

There are plenty of instances when sensational but false news spreads as if it’s real, even if it isn’t. If you’re ever suspicious of information, you have a few ways to check. You can look at a well-known and reputable fact-check site such as FactCheck.org. If you can’t find it there, there’s a simple rule […]

Beware of apps not from the official platforms on social media

When choosing which third-party applications to enable, it’s important to be cautious. Stay away from applications that seem suspicious and take the time to modify your settings to ensure that they are only able to access the bare minimum of information required. Doing so can help protect your data from potential malicious activity.

Don’t throw out old computers without removing or destroying the hard drive first

Those who frequent dumpster sites can find metaphorical gold if someone throws out an old computer, even if it’s no longer functioning. This is because the hard drive is often intact, with all your personal data on it. Erasing the data ahead of time is generally insufficient, as all data can easily be recovered with […]

Try making your passwords longer than six or eight characters

Creating secure passwords is a must if you want to protect your accounts from cybercriminals. When creating passwords, it is essential to find a balance between complexity and memorability. A strong password should contain an abbreviated phrase interspersed with a number and a special character, if possible. This combination will provide you with a long […]

Update your BIOS when necessary — but not when it isn’t

Your motherboard’s functions are determined by its Basic Input Output System, or BIOS. It’s common for BIOS firmware to receive updates via the motherboard manufacturer’s website to enable support for new components, especially CPUs. Before you install any component into your motherboard, ensure that the two pieces of hardware are compatible. If not, you may […]

Keep all your important drivers updated

Most people know the importance of keeping their OS updated, but drivers are seldom automatically updated. Some examples of drivers you should keep updated are motherboard chipsets, video cards, sound cards, and networking equipment such as Wi-Fi connectors. You can do this manually by searching out new drivers online or investing in software that searches […]