Summer is just around the corner and the temperature outside is starting to rise. Activity in the world of breach is also going up and there doesn’t seem to be any signs of it slowing down any time soon. Summer is a great time to take advantage of downtime and get caught up on all your IT related items. We have a few summer tech tips that can not only make technology more enjoyable, but can also make sure you are one step ahead of the bad guys and prepared for anything they throw at you.
Here are 7 tech tips for your Summer IT Bucket list
Reboot – When was the last time you rebooted your router? We have seen an increase in targeted attacks on SOHO Routers. “SOHO” is used to decrive, “small office – home office” routers used to set up local area networks by small businesses and consumers. According to DHS, “The size and scope of this infrastructure inpacted by NPN Filter malware is significant. The persistent VPNFilte malware linked to this infrastructure targets a variety of SOHO routers and network – attached storage devices.” Here is a link to the US – CERT’s alert detailing the threat and how to protect yourself. First tech tip for summer is to reboot today.
Clean Devices – This summer, give your devices a deep clean every now and again by using anti-bacterial wipes. Keeping your devices cleaned will help them to run more effectively and keep you from getting sick. Make sure your device is turned off before you clean it and always avoid any openings in the device housing!
Avoid Moisture – Now that you are spending more time outdoors, it is a good idea to use a heavy duty case while out and about this summer so you don’t get your electronic devices wet or exposed to the sun. Look into waterproof cases that are perfect for those hiking and white water rafting adventures!
Back Up – Make sure you have good back ups in place. Summertime is usually when we take more pictures or videos and you don’t want to risk the chance of getting your memories lost because you didn’t have proper back ups in place. Cyber crime is on the rise and making sure you have backups ensures you won’t lose your data in the event of a breech.
Protect Yourself with Passwords – Make sure to password protect your devices and activate any device location services you have available. Summer is a heavy season for theft and you don’t want to loose your device to crooks or the casual opportunist! If you have this in place already, when was the last time you updated the password?
Get Organized – Make sure all your pictures and attachments are properly downloaded and organized. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to find a file or image and not being able to. Take advantage of the long summer nights and use the time to organize your PC or laptop data.
Set up a MDM Plan – Most companies don’t have a MDM (mobile device management) plan in place. Summer is a great time to do some research about different options to ensure your company and its employees are safely using their devices when they are not in the office. Effectively test your end users so they know what types of risks are out there that could compromise your business data. There are so many ways that your network could be compromised that it would be worth talking to a MSP (Managed Service Provider) who can make sure you have the right antivirus, fire wall and spam filter in place so you can protect yourself. These are just a few things you need to have, but consult with your MSP to ensure your whole network is as secure as possible. Make sure you work together to have a strong cyber security plan in place for your personal electronics and business IT network.
Take advantage of the summer months with these easy to implement tech tips so you can check off a few items from your summer IT bucket list and make sure you and your business are safe and secure.
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