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--- securing_your_computer [2019/08/04 15:52] – neil
+++ securing_your_computer [2021/07/06 09:26] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 She stored personal data, on her shared home computer, with no encryption, on a generic account, and it was accidentally uploaded to a cloud server.
+====Key points: ====
+  *[[#Don't share user accounts on your computer|Don't share user accounts on your computer]]
+  *[[#Use a strong password for your computer account|Use a strong password for your computer account]]
+  *[[#Enable the firmware password|Enable the firmware password]]
+  *[[#Turn on disk encryption|Turn on disk encryption]]
+  *[[#Don't use an administrator account|Don't use an administrator account]]
+  *[[#Take backups regularly and automatically|Take backups regularly and automatically]]
+  *[[#Enable your computer's firewall|Enable your computer's firewall]]
 ====Don't share user accounts on your computer====
@@ Line 14: / Line 23: @@
 If the option is open to you financially, it is safer to have physically separate machines.
-====Use a strong password====
+====Don't use an administrator account====
-Create a strong, but memorable, password for your account.
-Here's some [[passwords|guidance on passwords]].
+Make your everyday user account one without administrator privileges.
-====Encryption====
+This may mean you need to jump through some extra hoops to install software, but it mitigates the risk of malware.
-Full disk encryption v file level encryption
-====Backups====
+Increase your privileges only when you need them (for example, to install software).
-Ensure that you are in control of where your data are residing. Not backing up to a cloud service without you realising it.
-====Don't trust anyone else's USB sticks====
+====Use a strong password for your computer account====
+Create a strong, but memorable, password for your account.
-===Encrypt USB drives before storing data on them ===
+Here's some [[passwords|guidance on passwords]].
-If you are going to store information on a USB stick (perhaps as a backup), encrypt the drive before you store the information on it.
-That way, if you lose the drive, or it is stolen, the finder or thief cannot access the information on it.
+====Enable the firmware password ====
+Some computers will let you set a separate password for their firmware, which is the initial piece of software which runs when you boot your computer.
-===Do not take free USB sticks from conferences===
+Some systems require you to enter this password before every boot, while others only require it if you try to boot from a different device (such as from as USB stick).
-Don't use USB sticks given away at events. If you need a USB stick for something, buy one from a vendor you trust.
+Use a different password to your user account, and make it a [[passwords|strong password]].
-===Do not use USB sticks as give-aways at conferences ===
+[[https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455|Apple's instructions for macOS]]
-USB sticks might seem like good giveaway items at conferences, but it's a bad idea, as it encourages poor security practice. If you want to make files away, host them on your website or some other sharing service, and give out the link.
+====Turn on disk encryption====
+If your computer offers disk encryption, turn it on.
-=== Do not pick up "lost" USB sticks ===
+Depending on the software you are using, you may only get the benefit of this when your device is powered off, so turn off your devices (rather than just putting them to sleep) when you are not using them.
-Nothing found on the ground or in the carpark or “left over” in a meeting room.
+===FileVault for macOS ===
-Yes, it might suck to feel that you could be a good Samaritan and return someone’s vital information or backup of family photographs, but you have absolutely no idea as to what is on that memory stick, and there’s a chance, perhaps even a strong chance, that it might be an attack.
+For macOS, this is FileVault. You can turn it on through System Preferences / Security & Privacy / FileVault.
+Make a note of the recovery key which it shows you. Keep this securely in your password manager, or on a piece of paper in a safe. Someone who has access to this password can decrypt your drive, and access the files and other content on it.
-===But it’s from my friend…===
+===Windows ===
-Even if it is coming from your friend, or a trusted colleague, do you know what security they have on their computer? Do you know what state their anti-virus protection is in?
+BitLocker?
-Get them to transfer you the file some other way, and take precautions when opening it.
+====Take backups regularly and automatically====
+[[backups|Here]].
 ====Enable your computer's firewall ====