Computers, tablets and smartphones: devices with different appearances, sizes and functions. You know their differences, but do you know what they have in common? They require the same security measures to be protected. If you want to boost the security of your devices, apply these measures across all of them:
- Protect access
Not everyone should be able to enter your devices. Protect access to them with secure unlocking mechanisms. For example, you can use a robust password to access the computer, a pattern, PIN and/or set up biometric recognition for devices that allow it. Also apply an automatic lock in the event of a period of inactivity. - Check that they are updated
It is essential that to keep the operating system on which your device works updated with the latest available version. Therefore, you must set up automatic update of new versions and accept them as soon as your device notifies you of this. - An antivirus is not just for the computer
Many users still believe that antivirus software can only or should only be used on the computer. In truth, they are also necessary for phones and tablets; they connect to the internet and are liable to suffer cyberattacks, right?
There are many antivirus options, both paying and free ones. Search and find the most suitable one for your device. - Download only secure applications and check permissions
Before downloading any of the thousands of available applications that exist on one of your devices, make sure you do so using each operating system's official channels.
But be careful, not all apps are secure. Some may pose a risk to your privacy, even though they do not contain any malicious elements. For this reason, you must check the permissions that are requested before installing them. For example, does it make sense for a flashlight app for your phone to request access to your photos? Use your common sense and if you are asked for excessive permissions, check whether there are other less intrusive options. - Make backups
Surely, like many of us, you have lost a device or had it stolen at some point. If this happens to you, you will want to have made backups of your device. You can lose your phone, computer or tablet, but you will be able to recover the information contained on them.
You will also be protected from malware infections, especially ransomware, which lists the content of all files requesting a ransom in bitcoin.