Cyber Reminder

Online Accounts

Consider what accounts you have online for both work and home. Most likely your accounts include email, social networks, clubs and organizations, shopping websites, cloud storage accounts, and others. Is there information in those accounts that isn't needed anymore, such as credit cards saved in your accounts with shops and old documents on cloud storage accounts? Close old email accounts you never check. Never use the same password across any of your accounts.

Email Accounts

Move information in your accounts to a folder or delete unwanted emails. Then empty your deleted items or your trash folder. Many email providers have limits on mailbox sizes, and for security reasons it's always smart to limit what is available through your email account. Can you set a rule that will automatically empty your deleted items or trash folder on a regular basis? Unsubscribe to recurring emails that no longer interest you.

Social Media

Review your security settings, friends and connections, and posts to make sure you're still comfortable with them. Is the information on your social networking and job websites, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, current? Do your security settings ensure that only the authorized individuals can view what you post? Do you still use or need all of the social media sites you are registered to?

Devices

Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and computers make our lives so much easier and here's your chance to ensure that doesn't change! Delete unused apps and clear out any downloads you aren't using any more. Make sure your device requires a password, pin, or fingerprint to log-in. Check for old files that can be archived or deleted. (Don't forget to empty the recycling/trash bin Then make sure your device's security software is working properly (you do have antivirus installed, right?) and all software is patched and set to auto-update

Web Browser Settings

Web browsers need a bit of care, just like other software. Many browsers can store your passwords or autofill settings, but over time the data stored by the browser can accumulate, and this isn't a secure place to store your passwords. So take a few minutes to check your browser settings, clear out old data, and ensure your browser's security settings are still keeping you safe. In particular, make sure that autofill doesn't contain sensitive information and that you don't store your passwords in your browser. Do you need all of the browsers on your system?

Home Networks

Check your home network and how you're connecting to the Internet. Make sure your home router is secured with a complex and unique password and that its broadcast name doesn't identify it as belonging to you. By setting up your wireless router to use a current encryption standard like WPA2, it will greatly strengthen your home network security. This would also be a good chance to see if there are additional security features you can turn on or install, such as firewalls or antivirus software.

Back Things Up

Whether you save your files to CDs or DVDs, a cloud back-up service, or an external hard drive, make sure you have a complete backup of important files. No matter how you're saving those files, make sure you're saving the right files and that you can restore everything from your backup, since a backup that you can't restore from isn't useful at all!

Take Out the Trash

Literally. Are there old devices in your house or office that should be recycled? If so, many towns and stores support eCycling initiatives and will help you properly dispose of them. Just make sure to remove and shred/destroy hard drives and other components that may contain sensitive data!