Mitigate the Threat, Secure Your Internet!
Our homes are filled with internet-connected devices. These “smart devices” can make our lives easier, but they are also loaded with our data and information that hackers want to access. Any internet-connected device is a potential target for hackers. So what can be done to reduce the threat of a hacker accessing our digital lives?
Below are some tips and best practices.
- If supported, always set a password, PIN code, etc. on a device. Consider disabling any features on a device you are not actively using. Reenable a service as required/when in use.
- Perform regular backups to secure removable media or cloud services so you can quickly recover from any equipment failure, malware Infection, or other attack.
- Use and regularly update anti-virus software on you computers, laptops tablets, and phones.
- Make sure your Wi-Fi router has a strong password. Consider setting up a separate network & password for guests to use.
- Always change the default passwords on smart devices. Default passwords are often widely known and can leave your device open to misuse.
- Threats arise and evolve quickly. Keeping your devices up-to-date by installing system and software updates when available is critical. If available, enable auto-update on your device.