Home security is no longer limited to keeping your front door locked and turning on your alarm system. It now extends to protecting yourself from cyber threats that can intrude upon devices throughout your house and put your personal information at risk. The National Security Agency encourages everyone to protect themselves from cyber threats at home which can be accomplished through some basic steps.
- Update operating systems on ALL your devices
- Backup your data on external drives and portable media
- Use anti-virus, firewalls, and other security software
- Only keep digital assistants like web cameras on when in use
- Use strong passwords and keep those passwords private
- Don't use administrator accounts for regular internet use
- Use firewalls on your routers
- Turn on Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) on wireless access points
- Disable remote administration on routing devices
And it's not just while you are in your home that you need to be mindful of cybersecurity, if you are using a mobile device, keep these tips in mind.
- Don't open attachments or links from unknown email accounts
- Use a different password for each account
- Use secure email protocols like Secure IMAP or Secure POP3
- Do not open emails that seem "too good to be true"
- Try to avoid using public hotspots
For additional advice on how to protect yourself from cyber threats and keep your home network and devices secure, check out NSA'S Top Ten Cybersecurity Mitigation Strategies
Looking for more information on cybersecurity? Check out NSA’s cybersecurity page, and StopThinkConnect.org.