Archives - Security Best Practice


Log out of your Facebook account on devices you’re not using

Facebook provides a way for you to see when and where you logged into the site/app. If you are still logged in from a browser or device you haven’t used in days or weeks, it’s prudent to log out so that someone else doesn’t gain access to your account.

Avoid credit card skimmers

These skimmers were once a major issue at ATMs and point-of-sale terminals. They can still be risky if you pay by swiping. To stay safe, pay with a chip or tap. At ATMs, consider using an NFC-enabled phone to tap to access your account instead of your physical card. That way, there’s no card number […]

Don’t give out a password on a phone call

Never supply your current or old passwords to someone on the phone claiming to be from tech support. If you need to reset your password, you can usually do so by clicking a link on the site in question and/or supplying your old password.

Tread lightly with third-party keyboards on phones and tablets

Third-party keyboards allow you to customize how you type on a touchscreen device, whether that customization entails swipe-based typing, new stickers and emoji, or something else. The tradeoff is that the keyboard can see everything you type. That might be harmless depending on the vendor, but it’s still a big risk to take and one […]

Don’t put all your digital eggs in one basket

Do you have critical items (like family photos or lists of passwords) saved only on a single device? If so, be sure to diversify your backup strategy and move these assets to other devices and locations. Cloud backup and external hard drives are both good options.

Set important applications and updates to be installed automatically

Updates are integral to keeping all networked software secure. You can ensure updates are installed automatically, which is in fact the default for apps on Android and iOS, or schedule a big installation – like an OS update – in advance. These options are better and safer than having to apply updates manually.