securing_your_computer
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securing_your_computer [2019/08/06 20:50] – neil | securing_your_computer [2021/07/06 09:26] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 | ||
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=====Securing your computer ===== | =====Securing your computer ===== | ||
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+ | A barrister was given a (very small) [[https:// | ||
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+ | 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: ==== | ====Key points: ==== | ||
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*[[#Enable the firmware password|Enable the firmware password]] | *[[#Enable the firmware password|Enable the firmware password]] | ||
*[[#Turn on disk encryption|Turn on disk encryption]] | *[[#Turn on disk encryption|Turn on disk encryption]] | ||
+ | *[[# | ||
*[[#Take backups regularly and automatically|Take backups regularly and automatically]] | *[[#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]] | ||
- | *[[# | ||
- | *[[#Do not take free USB sticks from conferences|Do not take free USB sticks from conferences]] | ||
- | *[[#Do not use USB sticks as give-aways at conferences|Do not use USB sticks as give-aways at conferences]] | ||
- | *[[#Do not pick up " | ||
*[[#Enable your computer' | *[[#Enable your computer' | ||
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- | A barrister was given a (very small) [[https:// | ||
- | |||
- | 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. | ||
====Don' | ====Don' | ||
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If the option is open to you financially, | If the option is open to you financially, | ||
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+ | ====Don' | ||
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+ | Make your everyday user account one without administrator privileges. | ||
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+ | This may mean you need to jump through some extra hoops to install software, but it mitigates the risk of malware. | ||
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+ | Increase your privileges only when you need them (for example, to install software). | ||
====Use a strong password for your computer account==== | ====Use a strong password for your computer account==== | ||
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Use a different password to your user account, and make it a [[passwords|strong password]]. | Use a different password to your user account, and make it a [[passwords|strong password]]. | ||
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+ | [[https:// | ||
====Turn on disk encryption==== | ====Turn on disk encryption==== | ||
If your computer offers disk encryption, turn it on. | If your computer offers disk encryption, turn it on. | ||
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+ | 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. | ||
===FileVault for macOS === | ===FileVault for macOS === | ||
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====Take backups regularly and automatically==== | ====Take backups regularly and automatically==== | ||
- | Ensure that you are in control of where your data are residing. Not backing up to a cloud service without you realising it. | + | [[backups|Here]]. |
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- | ====Encrypt USB drives before storing data on them ==== | + | |
- | 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. | + | |
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- | ====Don' | + | |
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- | 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? | + | |
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- | Get them to transfer you the file some other way, and take precautions when opening it. | + | |
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- | ===Do not take free USB sticks from conferences=== | + | |
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- | Don't use USB sticks given away at events. If you need a USB stick for something, buy one from a vendor you trust. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ===Do not use USB sticks as give-aways at conferences === | + | |
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- | USB sticks might seem like good giveaway items at conferences, | + | |
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- | + | ||
- | === Do not pick up " | + | |
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- | Nothing found on the ground or in the carpark or “left over” in a meeting room. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Yes, it might suck to feel that you could be a good Samaritan and return someone’s vital information or backup of family photographs, | + | |
====Enable your computer' | ====Enable your computer' |
securing_your_computer.1565124622.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/07/06 09:26 (external edit)