The following are basic steps anyone can take to improve their digital security. Some points are self explanatory, others have further details. These are not in any particular order.
- Use a Password Manager. For a small monthly or annual payment, you can benefit from not only having world class passwords, without duplication, but never have to try to remember them all. The biggest single issue we find when helping clients with their accounts is the re-use of passwords or using passwords that are too simple. We recommend Proton Pass, SecureSafe and 1Password.
- Where offered, use 2 Factor Authentication. This doesn’t have to be difficult and if you use a decent password manager, 2FA is included – very useful. You can also get dedicated apps from Google and Microsoft. Just type ‘2 Factor Authentication’ where you normally get your apps
- Buy and own your domain. If you rely on a free service for your email, you have little recourse if something goes wrong. If you buy your domain through us and many other reputable companies, you have full ownership and management of the domain. Set up personal email accounts for your personal email and perhaps sweeper accounts for the less important emails.
- Set up recovery email accounts where offered
- Download recovery codes where offered. You can save these in your Password Manager – doesn’t that password manager look useful now?
- Backup your documents and files. Always do this to a remote place that is separate from the normal storage location. In the backup world, there is a saying that ‘unless data exists in three separate locations, it doesn’t really exist’.
- Have a recovery plan
- Test your recovery plan
- Test your digital hygiene. Emails via haveibeenpwned.com or via the health check in your password manager.
If you need help or training in this area, please feel free to contact us.