Cybersecurity

Digital Spring Cleaning

As many of us in the northern part of the country know, when spring’s milder weather arrives, it’s natural to open our windows and clean those neglected corners of our homes and offices. However, something we often overlook during this seasonal refresh is tidying up our digital spaces.

Much like sorting through overstuffed closets or tackling that junk drawer in the kitchen, taking time to tidy up our devices, accounts, and digital habits can leave us feeling lighter, more organized, and better protected.

In our business life we may already have tools set up to help us keep this “clutter” to a minimum, but we can apply the same decluttering mentality to the electronic tools we use in our daily lives.

Here is a list of some common areas you can start your digital spring cleaning whether at home or in the office:

Computers:

  • Check for updates and enable auto-updates when available
  • Empty your downloads folder
  • Delete or organize files into their respective folders or cloud storage
  • Review browser extensions and remove unnecessary ones

Phone:

  • Remove apps you’re not using anymore
  • Check for updates and enable auto-updates
  • Review app permissions on your phone (location, camera, microphone access)
  • Check privacy settings on social media accounts
  • Opt out of data sharing where possible
  • Clean up your photo library

Email:

  • Unsubscribe from unwanted email lists
  • Set up smart folders to help organize your inbox
  • Delete or archive old emails

Passwords:

  • Update old passwords, making sure they are unique
  • Ensure MFA is enabled on email, banking, social media, accounting, websites, etc.
  • Signup for a password keeper for home use

Wifi:

  • Restart your router and check for updates
  • Update passwords

Article source: AdeliaRisk

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