Truth & Tech

I like to build things that work and implement systems. It’s just a rewarding work to know that you put something into play that is both helpful and consistently yields results. One of those things is a routine for the normal activities of my life. I like having a routine because, well, I’m an introverted nerd that likes to pretend I have some level of control over the details of my life. So recently I’ve been digging into how to elevate my own personal cybersecurity.

I started down this path because 1.) Cybersecurity is the modern warfare of the digital wild-wild-west and I’d like to not get shot! 2.) Cybersecurity is fascinating to learn about and excites me! and 3.) Because I tend to be very protective over those I care about. So I wanted to investigate how to keep people safe online.

After doing some research, watching videos from experts in the cybersecurity field, and reading up on the topic for a while, here is my checklist for an individual to check up on their own personal cybersecurity. Evaluate from this list where you stand and what steps you could take to avoid some of the ‘flinging bullets’ in this digital age. It’s not a bullet proof vest, just a bit of a barrier between you and the enemy. And if you have any additions (I’m still a n00b to this field), post them below.

Rules of Basic Personal Cyber Hygiene

1. Be Skeptical. In a world of deep-fakes and false photos nothing is as it seems.
2. Use a different password for each system/site. Use a password manager to accomplish this which will allow you to use complex passwords.
3. Use multifactor authentication on everything. Especially the password manager.
4. Update software and firmware all the time. Vulnerabilities are discovered all the time and so patches/updates have to be implemented to fix them.
5. Don’t use any media (CDs, thumb-drives, etc.) that you don’t know where it came from.
6. A sense of urgency in a request doesn’t mean it’s a genuine request. It’s possible that it is a social engineering hack to make you think you only have a little bit of time to take advantage of the deal.
7. The more you reveal about yourself, whether personal information, hobbies, or opinions, the less secure you are. It’s not just about keeping your social security off of malicious websites.
8. VPNs, while useful, do not guarantee anonymity as they often seem to promise. DO use them if you have to use public Wi-Fi.
9. Avoid public Wi-Fi by using your phone as a hotspot if possible.
10. Just because they ask logical questions as recovery questions does not mean you have to use logical answers.
11. The less software and apps you have, the less likely you are to have a vulnerability in a poorly programmed or out-of-date piece of software.

I’ve started to take this much more seriously. What I’m finding with cybersecurity, is that the more secure you are, the less convenient things are. But with all that is going on, I’d happily trade some convenience for a little bit of security. Again, if you have more tips, let me know!