Becoming Cyber Aware
Our computers, phones, and tablets regularly receive updates that address cybersecurity vulnerabilities, as do the apps and software on them.
Ignoring these updates or neglecting to restart your device to complete an update puts your device and personal information at risk.
Precautions You Can Take
- Keep your operating system up to date
- Turn on your operating system’s automatic updates feature. Don’t ignore the prompts to install an update, especially security updates
- Select a secure password for your computer that is different from your Plaza College account password
- Develop a plan for backing up files regularly
- Educate yourself about safe computing practices
What if I Don’t Install Updates?
It’s crucial to keep all apps, software, and operating systems updated, even newer apps like games, as any application can be a target in a cybersecurity attack. By staying proactive, you can reduce the risk of malicious activity and protect your device, personal information, and the entire Plaza College community.
Skipping updates can prevent essential security patches from being installed, making your computer an appealing target for cyber-criminals. Ensure that you regularly update your Windows or Mac computer, phone, tablet, and all apps (including browsers), and respond promptly to any prompts to restart or reopen an app, as many updates require a restart to complete.
What is A Backup?
A backup is an additional copy of your digital files that safeguards against data loss. Having a backup allows you to retrieve your data if your device is inaccessible, lost, damaged, or compromised. Data loss can result from various events such as hardware failures, device theft, data corruption, or ransomware attacks.
Methods For Backup Up
- External hard drives are portable and user-friendly, especially when paired with built-in software such as “Time Machine” or “Backup and Restore”. It’s important to encrypt your hard drive and disconnect or “unmount” it after backing up to safeguard your data from malware compromises. Remember, keeping the device disconnected prevents it from being infected.
- Flash drives can also serve as backup options, but they offer limited storage capacity and lack additional security features unless encrypted. If lost or stolen, unprotected flash drives may pose a security risk.
- Cloud backups refer to the practice of storing copies of digital data, such as files, documents, and media, on remote servers accessed via the internet. These remote servers are typically operated by third-party providers who offer storage space and infrastructure for users to upload and store their data securely.
- Cloud backups enable remote data access, ensuring flexibility for users. Data redundancy across multiple servers minimizes loss risks, with scalable storage options adapting to changing needs. Automated backups streamline data protection, while robust encryption enhances security, making cloud backups essential for safeguarding digital assets and ensuring business continuity. Both Windows and Mac offer cloud backup options in the form of “OneDrive” for Windows devices and “ICloud” for Apple devices. Be sure, as always, to practice secure password policies when creating these accounts to ensure your backed up data stays secure.
Regularly backing up valuable data from computers, connected devices, and smartphones is essential. Utilize multiple backup methods to ensure accessibility and protection of important documents. While backing up requires planning and investment, it’s a crucial step to prevent data loss. Choose the backup approach that best fits your needs for optimal effectiveness.
