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Quick Guide to Basic Security.

Computer security is a large complex combination of philosophies, methods and tools. It can take years to understand completely and yet is changes almost daily. I have spent many years in the cyber security field and tried to boil it down to a bare minimum. There are a lot more people working from home these days and are exposed to cyber attacks more than usual. I have seen many small business' completely crushed by an online attack. Office users and small business users usually don't have the corporate IT department to help. The field of security gets very technical and most users have other priorities such as running their business. Below I have listed some basic, non-technical methods that may help prevent an attack. It is by no means everything you need to know but hopefully it will help protect your personal data, customer database and to some extent, peace of mind.

Windows Security:

  1. Make sure Anti-Virus is updated and running.
  2. Install updates when provided.
  3. Backup regularly.
  4. Create a system restore point.
  5. Use strong passwords.
  6. Turn off ad-ware.
  7. More info. (Basic Windows Security)

Email Security:

  1. Be aware of Phishing attempts. (The most common vulnerability)
  2. Spot malicious attachments.
  3. Verify bogus senders.
  4. Look out for malicious email, spelling, grammar, unknown sender....
  5. More info. (Email Security)

Network Devices - WiFi:

  1. Change your router password.
  2. Use a strong encryption protocol.
  3. Disable WPS on your router.
  4. More info on how to do this. (Network Devices - WiFi)

Online Security:

  1. Avoid shady sites.
  2. Update browser and plug-ins.
  3. Use a VPN
  4. More info on how to do this. (Online Security)

Backup Methods:

  1. Use Microsoft One Drive
  2. Use Google Drive
  3. Set a system restore point.
  4. More info on how to do this. (Backup Methods)

Vulnerabilities and Risk:

  1. Determine what you have to lose.
  2. Determine what threatens your data.
  3. Use controls and methods to protect your data.
  4. More info on how to do this. (Vulnerabilities & Risk)

Passwords:

  1. Don't use weak passwords.
  2. Don't use one password for multiple logins.
  3. Use a password generator.
  4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication.
  5. More info.(Passwords)

User Guide - Scan yourself.

  1. Test your system.