Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- securing_your_computer [2019/08/14 19:24] – neil
+++ securing_your_computer [2019/08/24 06:07] – neil
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
   *[[#Take backups regularly and automatically|Take backups regularly and automatically]]
   * [[#Encrypt USB drives before storing data on them|Encrypt USB drives before storing data on them]]
+  * [[#Don’t put your USB stick in someone else’s computer|Don’t put your USB stick in someone else’s computer]]
   *[[#Don't trust anyone else's USB sticks|Don't trust anyone else's USB sticks]]
     *[[#Do not take free USB sticks from conferences|Do not take free USB sticks from conferences]]
@@ Line 76: / Line 77: @@
 That way, if you lose the drive, or it is stolen, the finder or thief cannot access the information on it.
+====Don’t put your USB stick in someone else’s computer====
+No, this is not a euphemism.
+You have no idea what security might (or might not) be in place on the other computer, whether it is infected by a virus or dormant ransomware, and so on.
+Use an alternative whenever you can, such as a [[email_alternatives#ways_of_sharing_large_or_sensitive_files|file transfer platform]].
+If you absolutely have to transfer something to someone else’s computer via USB:
+  * wipe your memory stick first, using your computer’s disk formatting tools
+  * put on it only the file you need to transfer
+  * transfer it to the other computer
+  * use the other computer’s disk formatting utility to wipe the USB stick
+  * take the stick back and destroy it
+It’s not kind to the environment, but the price of small USB sticks makes them disposable.
 ====Don't trust anyone else's USB sticks====