Securing your computer, tablet, or phone is an important step in securing your data. In support of Data Privacy Week, Information Technology Services recommends seven steps to secure your devices, especially in public places.
1. Do not leave the equipment unattended. Rushing to the toilet? Bring your computer or smartphone.
2. Create a unique lock. Make sure that access to your device requires a passcode or a unique biometric identifier such as fingerprint or facial recognition.
3. Restrict app downloads. Before installing any new app, make sure you are using the official app store and check the developer’s trustworthiness. You should also check the reviews and ratings of the app.
4. Regularly check your downloaded apps. Remove apps you no longer use or don’t recognize. Check your settings for the list of all apps, not just the apps that appear on your home screen.
5. Use antivirus software. Employees and students get free Sophos antivirus software for up to three personal devices.
6. Use strong authentication. Create a long, unique password for each account and store it in your password manager. Do not reuse or share passwords. Enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible for added security, especially for personal accounts that store sensitive information such as credit card numbers.
7. Keep your apps and devices up to date. Run regular updates or enable automatic security updates.
Learn more about how to protect yourself at defenseyourdata.wvu.edu.
