Keep it clean for cyber hygiene

1. Stay safe on social media

Limit what you publish on social media and be aware of what access connected apps have to your personal information.

Regularly review your privacy and security settings and use multi-factor authentication if available.

 

2. Be wary of public WiFi

Check the network name before connecting and confirm it is secure with the vendor. Do not ask your device to remember or auto-connect to public networks. Never access sensitive data and avoid entering personal credentials. 

3. Spot phishing scams

Do not download documents or click links in unexpected or suspicious emails.They could contain malware. Phishing emails may also have a sense of urgency, contain links or attachments and have spelling errors. 

4. Protect against malware

Keep all your devices and anti-virus software updated with the latest versions. Run system scans at least once a month to check for any threats. 

5. Use strong passwords

Passwords should be made of three separate words that are not linked to each other but memorable to you. They should also use a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and special characters. 

6. Classify information

Protect sensitive and confidential information by assigning it the correct classification. This will indicate how to handle, share, store and dispose of it. 

7. Keep a clear desk and clear screen

Work with a clear desk and lock away any valuables and confidential or sensitive documents. Always lock your screen when you step away from your work station by using ‘Ctrl+Alt+Del’ and ‘lock’. 

8. Guard against shoulder surfers

Be aware of who may be looking over your shoulder or listening in when you work on or discuss confidential information. 

9. Secure mobile devices

When mobile devices are not in use, make sure you lock the screen and use a strong password. Install a tracking device and data-wiping software too. 

10. Back up your devices

For personal devices, use a secure network to back up your data to an external hard drive or cloud-based storage. 

Be aware. Be skilled. Be alert. Be savvy.