12 Basic Steps for Laptop Security
The single biggest difference between a desktop and laptop computer is portability. This fact alone means you have to take extra steps to protect your laptop from the unscrupulous. I have put together a check list to help you take basic precautions in securing your laptop for your travels.
Before you leave and something that you should have done already
- Backing up - Before you even leave your office make sure to back-up all your data files just in case. This way if something bad does happen you will always have copies.
- What's the Password? - Make sure that you have password protection enabled on your laptop.
- Strong Enough? - Be sure the password is a strong one, mix up some letters and numbers, and throw in an odd car or two.
- Good Screening - Set your screen saver to a shorter time period before it starts (make sure to check the box next to the minutes that says on resume password protect).
- Block the entrances - Make sure you have a firewall enabled.
- Spy Stuff - If you have very important documents encrypting the file or folder is a must.
- Make sure your antivirus software is up to date and running properly.
- Use an anti-malware software to help protect you
- If your laptop has a fingerprint reader, webcam with facial recognition software, or other type of built-in security feature make sure they are enabled.
- Multiple Personalities - If you are the only one that uses your computer and you do not have an IT guy who has set the user rights then you are the administrator of your laptop and can do anything. Consider creating another user say "first name" with limited rights, restricting the access to specific programs and the adding of any new programs. That way if you leave your computer unattended the bad guys can not install a malice program.
- WiFi - Don't say anything that you would not want everyone to know. Public (i.e. free) WiFi is great for accessing the web but unless you are using a VPN your communications are open for anyone to sniff out and use. So do not do your online banking or credit card transactions on WiFi unless you want to help strangers live large in Hollywood.
- Keep it in sight - No matter want else you do you have to keep physical possession of your laptop. All the precautions only help make it harder for the bad guys to get to your data.
Back-up - So I am going to assume that you do this with an external disk drive and that you back-up weekly like I told you in my article for newbie. This is by far the easiest way to back up your laptop and again make backing up a habit like before you go to dinner or to workout; even easier schedule it for a time you normally would be away from your laptop.
