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Staying Cyber Safe at Home
Cybersecurity extends beyond the workplace. Think about how often you connect to the digital ecosystem outside of the work environment. From online shopping to streaming a show to scrolling on social media, the online world has many platforms and offerings that are frequently used. Securing your home not only keeps you and your personal information safe, but it helps secure our world.
One of the best ways to stay safe at home is to keep software updated. Outdated and unsupported software can hold vulnerabilities that are easily exploited by cybercriminals. It is important that you install the latest updates as soon as possible to ensure your device has the latest security patches and new features. Consider turning on automatic updates so that you don’t manually need to check for them. Many devices also let you schedule updates to install during hours that are convenient to you, like during the middle of the night or late afternoon hours.
Using strong passwords can also help keep your home secure. A strong password is long, complex, and unique to you. It should use a combination of upper and lower case, numbers, and special characters. Use a different password for each account and consider using a passphrase, which uses an entire phrase or sentence instead of a password, for added security.
When securing your home, don’t forget to secure Internet of Things (IoT) devices. IoT refers to any object or device that sends and receives data through the internet, like connected home appliances, smart home security systems, and wearable health monitors. To keep IoT devices more secure, evaluate their security settings, keep software updated, and connect carefully. When your device is connected to the internet, it is connected to millions of other computers, which could grant cybercriminals access to your device, so think before you connect to a network.
You can also keep your mobile device secure with Michigan Secure, a free mobile protection app for Michigan residents. Offered by the State of Michigan, Michigan Secure protects against some of the most pressing threats, including phishing links, tampered QR codes, and unsecure Wi-Fi. Download Michigan Secure today on the App Store or Google Play.