One of the simplest steps you can take to stay safe online is by looking after your devices. From regularly keeping them up-to-date through to enabling existing security features, you can quickly and easily secure yourself and your data.
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/securing-your-devices
In a hurry? Here’s our quick device security checklist
- Enable PIN, Password or Biometric authentication.
- Set passcode to auto lock after a period of inactivity.
- Install the latest OS and app updates, set it to auto update if possible.
- Only download and install apps from trusted sources.
- If the device is for a child, enable the parental controls.
- Enable device and storage encryption where possible.
- Enable automatic backups to protect important data.
- Enable “Find My” and Remote Wipe features if available.
Looking for more information? Read on!
Locking Devices
Always lock your device when you’re not using it. Use a PIN, password, or fingerprint/face id. This will make it harder for an attacker to exploit a device if it is left unlocked, lost or stolen. Set your device to auto lock after a period of inactivity, to help prevent misuse if you have to leave it unattended.
Updating Devices
Allow your devices to install software updates – they contain security fixes that keep your device secure, as well as stability improvements and new features. If you’re prompted to install any, make sure you do. You don’t have to install updates immediately if you’re busy, but try and find some time later that day to do it.
Keep Backups
The data on your device could include your documents, photos, music, video and contacts – as well as your software. Modern device hard drives can hold massive volumes of data, making the consequences of loss through any of the above potentially disastrous. The impact could be inconvenient, stressful, time consuming and expensive.
Backups make it simple for you to protect your data by copying and storing it somewhere other than your device hard drive.
Device disposal
When the time comes to replace or dispose of your old device, you should take steps to ensure that the data you had on your device is kept safe, whatever you decide to do with it. Even if your old device was password protected, it may still be possible for someone to gain access to the data on it – things like photos, documents, emails and saved passwords. The safest thing to do before you give away, sell or recycle your old device is to copy any data you want to keep to your new device, then perform a full factory reset on the old device. Make sure you also remove and keep any memory cards or USB sticks.
https://www.getsafeonline.org/protecting-your-computer/safe-computer-disposal/
Lost or Stolen Devices
If your device is lost or stolen, then you will want try and locate it, or remotely erase the data. Manufacturers provide websites where you can log in (from a different device), check the location of your lost device, and then lock (or erase) the device remotely. Sometimes you’ll need to enable this feature yourself before losing the device.