In 2021, laptop security is more necessary than ever. Whether you want to keep out the prying eyes of those around the office or prevent hackers from accessing your data – how to secure your laptop is a significant concern. You might be asking some of the following:
> What is the most robust security system for my computer?
> What is the best password to keep my laptop safe?
> Is my laptop secure in a public network?
If the above questions relate to you, then do not fear. We have the ultimate guide to laptop safety and have collated six top tips. Read on to become an expert at laptop protection.
When thinking of how to secure your laptop, a major step you can take is updating things. Having the latest version of everything on your laptop means that it is more secure. Yes, this means anti-virus, and yes, this means updating to the newest version of your operating system. You should monitor what you download and use anti-virus to scan for anything odd.
Update browsers like Chrome and Firefox and turn on auto-update for other programmes.
Updates have the latest protection software and keep up to date with hacking trends and methods. Automatic updates are a lifesaving feature. If you cannot automatically update, then set a reminder to do it manually now and then.
Do this:
> Use anti-virus to scan files
> Update often and turn auto-updates on.
Don’t do this:
> Download from untrustworthy sources
> Leave programmes out of date.
Okay, passwords are not the only solution, but they are a great place to start. Having a complex password makes it that little bit harder for hackers to access your data. If you are questioning how to secure your laptop, then set up your device with a password.
This is especially important if you use your laptop in public places such as the workplace, a café or the library. Your password should be unique, hard to guess and include numbers, symbols, with no complete sentences and phrases. The number one rule here is no birthdays or names.
Further extending the password security is different login methods such as authentication. This involves passwordless authentication such as factor sequencing and email magic links. This saves people the hassle of remembering passwords.
Do this:
> Set a difficult password
> Use a password screensaver
> Use authentication methods.
Don’t do this:
> Reuse old passwords
> Share your passwords
> Use password managers (these are likely to get hacked)
Privacy is everything, and when you are in public, that privacy could be jeopardized. When thinking about how to secure your laptop, privacy screens may be a good idea. They block people looking at your screen from an angle and help deter hackers peeking over your shoulder. Believe us when we say this happens.
Also, get a cover for your webcam so hackers can’t use it to spy on you. And use a VPN. A VPN adds another layer of security and conceals your identity and browsing history. Look for a VPN provider with a proven “no log” policy. This means they won’t track your data and history.
Do this:
> Use physical privacy equipment for your laptop
> Use a VPN.
Don’t do this:
> Choose a VPN with “no logs” rules.
> Leave your webcam uncovered.
Many say this is the biggest step you can take to protect yourself against hackers. Because passwords alone are not enough to keep hackers out, businesses use encryption as an added layer of defence. Encryption knows how to secure your laptop.
It works by converting files and data into code and covering the contents. It makes it unreadable to a hacker. People encrypt their hard drive, meaning the hackers cannot access any data unless they enter the correct encryption key. It is the ultimate protection for your device. We also recommend storing the encryption key on a separate device, like a USB.
Backing up your data is also very important. It saves you in case something happens to the original file. Cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive provide this service in a convenient and easy to use way. You can also use external drives, such as external hard drives. This has saved many business owners in the past.
The key here is to back up your data at regular intervals, and after saving files, you would hate to lose. Lost data is catastrophic to businesses.
Do this:
> Encrypt your hard drive.
> Back up your data often.
> Save encryption keys on a USB or hard drive.
Don’t do this:
> Delay backing up files
> Forget to encrypt your back up files.
As the name suggests, multi-factor authentication provides more than one authentication process – though not all authentication factors offer equal protection. Sometimes an attacker can intercept authentication codes and use them for their own purposes.
Hard tokens, like YubiKeys, offer a more robust security method. When questioning how to secure your laptop, use this laptop security device as an authentication. The YubiKey is common for many businesses around the globe.
Do this:
> Use YubiKeys, as authentication methods.
Don’t do this:
> Consider passwords to be acceptable security
> Don’t rely on security questions.
Like all material objects, physical security is crucial. Making sure your laptop is kept in a safe place can go a long way.
When thinking about how to secure your laptop – a lockable cable, and location-tracking software can all help. These are fantastic features if your device is stolen.
Do this:
> Lock your laptop away from prying eyes
> Use a physical cover or lock
> Use tracking software.
Don’t do this:
> Leave your laptop unlocked
How to secure your laptop is a valid question everyone should have. If you have any more questions or want to learn more about specific software, then reach out to us today. We can discuss your particular needs and provide all the necessary information to make an informed choice that you are happy with.
If you like the sound of the ‘hands-off’ experience and having your IT and Cybersecurity taken care of by highly trained professionals, we would love to hear from you. Call our friendly team of experts on 0345 314 2001 for a relaxed chat about how we can make all this happen for you.
Alternatively, feel free to email us from our contact page here.
Our team is ready and waiting to help in any way they can.
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