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Good habits are hard to keep going, after all, how many people give up on their New Years’ Resolutions!

Keeping on top of things always feel like such a mammoth task, and so we do not end up doing them. So, here is a simple list that you can do regularly to keep on top of those security tasks. Keep doing these tasks every week or month, whatever suits you. Soon you will notice that there is less and less to have to do each time.

• Delete unused mobile apps
• Mobile app updates
• Update operating systems
• Have a day off
• Desktop app updates
• Delete unused desktop apps
• Backup and secure your data

• Monday morning

  • Delete Unused Mobile Apps

  • Go through your apps on your mobile devices and remove any that you do not use anymore. It is incredible how much we have on our devices that we do not use anymore. Each one is a different way an attacker can try and access your devices.
  • While you are removing them, do not forget to ensure you delete all your data with those services. If it is something you don’t use anymore, then why would you want to let them hold on to your data?

• Monday evening

  • Mobile App Updates

  • While you are setting the good habits for the week, when you get home, do this one. In that transition time from work to home, go to your app store and run any updates. Your devices can be doing these updates while you are saying hi to the family/pets etc.
    • Android – Play Store, Click your name top right, Manage Apps, Updates
    • Apple – App Store, profile icon, Scroll for updates, Update or Update All.
  • NOTE: Reboot your device after your app updates in case apps do not relaunch afterwards.

• Tuesday

  • Update Operating Systems

  • Tuesday is usually the day when Microsoft launches its main patches. Put some time in your day to check for updates to your operating system (you’ll be doing apps on a different day).
    • Windows – Start, Settings, Update & Security, Check for Updates
    • Apple – System Preferences, Software Update
  • NOTE: Allow enough time to do the updates. There is nothing like the stress of trying to prepare for a meeting, and the laptop suddenly reboots!

• Wednesday

  • It’s a day off!

  • Today is a good day to have a day off from IT tech support. Just enjoy the middle of the week, plan your weekend, enjoy your tech that is working better and better each week you get into these good habits.
  • Go and enjoy some downtime away from your devices, go for a walk, listen to some music, talk to friends and family!

• Thursday morning

  • Desktop App Updates

  • Go through your computer app store and run the updates. Some apps you need to launch to get their updates. Launch everything and see if there are any updates.
  • Hint: go to Help and about – you sometimes see the updates hidden in there!

• Thursday

  • Delete Unused Desktop Apps

  • During the day it is a good time to re-evaluate how you use your main desktop or laptop devices. Like your mobile devices, check which apps you are no longer using and remove them. You may also need to log onto websites to ensure you back up any data before removing your accounts for those services.
  • The fewer apps you have installed, the fewer opportunities attackers have to use out-of-date software to attack you.

• Friday

  • Backup and Secure your Data

  • End of the week, time to make sure that all your work documents are in the right places. Store and back data up so that if an attacker does somehow attack you, then you know your documents are safe. Make sure you are using your company cloud services and shared drives to securely back up your data. Reduce the amount on your computer -the less you have, the less they can steal!
  • Ensure you have your mobile devices synced up to Cloud backup. E.g. Apple Cloud, Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive. Your photos should also be being backed up. No one wants to lose our precious photos.
  • Go through your desk and put all the paper away. If it is finished with and can be shredded then destroy it.

Summary

These are simple tips that anyone can do, from kids to non-techies to the most technically proficient of all people. If we get into good habits then we start to become more aware of our own data, how we access it and from where.

There will be a follow-on blog in this series about 7 security culture changes you can make. This will help you get to grips with technology too:

• Password Managers
• 2FA
• VPN
• Secure Screens
• Backup
• Cafe WiFi
• Help Others

The reason why we need to have these security habits is that we all use devices, whether in our personal lives or at work. Each device comes with operating systems and apps and our data flows through it all. So, irrelevant of how technical you are, you still need to take care of your devices and ultimately … your data.