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Internet safety
Course: Internet safety > Unit 1
Lesson 7: Going deeper with device securityUsing Security Tools to Keep Your Devices Safe
This article walks you through some security tools that you can use to keep your devices safe and secure.
Using Security Tools to Keep Your Devices Safe
From email to online banking, our phones, laptops, and tablets make our lives easier every day. However, that convenience means that our devices contain all sorts of sensitive personal information. Fortunately, there are a number of tools that you can use to keep your device and the information it contains safe.
Install Device Manufacturers’ Software Updates
We’ve all seen it - your device tells you that it has a new software update that’s ready for you to download. While it’s tempting to ignore these updates, they are an important tool in keeping your device safe. As cybercriminals become increasingly more sophisticated, manufacturers have to continuously update their software so that they can respond and shut down new schemes and scams.
The next time you get a software update from your device’s manufacturer, take a few minutes to install it or to select a time when it can auto-install so that you can know that your device is protected by the latest and greatest software.
Only Install Apps From Trusted Sources
Adding an app to your iPhone or iPad? It should come from Apple’s App Store. Similarly, any apps you add to your Android should come from Google’s Play Store. Apps offered in these stores are regularly tested for quality and security. While apps found in other areas of the internet may initially appear to be cheaper or free alternatives to App/Play store options, they can also be sources of viruses, malware, or hacking threats. You get what you pay for, so stick to your trusted stores!
Keep Smart Devices Secure
Thanks to smart devices, you can program your home’s light switches, thermostat, and or toaster right from your phone. But the convenience that these online devices bring also comes with security risks, and have even been hacked by cybercriminals, who use them to inflict damage on other websites. Minimize these risks by selecting devices from reputable manufacturers that regularly test and update their security features, and make sure that your smart device has the latest security updates from its manufacturer.
With your devices secure, you’ll be able to surf and learn with peace of mind!
Want to join the conversation?
- How would I now FOR SURE that I have a strong password?(7 votes)
- You would have at least Eight characters, a mixture of lowercase and capital letters, with symbols and numbers mixed in. For example, instead of
ilovecake
I would do
!l0veC@Ke?
The gist of it is the same: the fact that u love cake, but instead of an easy anybody-can-figure-it-out password, you have a unique password only you can use.(9 votes)
- so strong passwords would mean stronger words or numbers??(5 votes)
- Not necessarily. Take a simple phrase, like "Chopsticks and sushi". Simple, right? But you can change that to something along the lines of "Ch0pSt*cKs+$u¢Hi". A lot better! Just replace the letters with capital or lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. Plus, you could use something like CamelCase, or alternating cases; for example, ChOpStIcKs AnD sUsHi. You shouldn't use just CamelCase, but the words or numbers of the password don't have to be stronger, just different.
Of course, you could also add a random number to the end of a password, making it even stronger. In this case, our sushi code turns into "Ch0pSt*cKs+$u¢Hi4829", or something like that.
Look how much stronger that is than just "Chopsticks and sushi"! You don't have to use obscure words, or long numbers. Just replace a few letters and you're on your way! Just make sure to remember it.
Hope this helps!(11 votes)
- i have a question(3 votes)
- don't be late to work everyday(2 votes)
- can you hack animals :)(2 votes)
- I got a Question(1 vote)
- Ah yes, what is the question?(2 votes)
- what is a real smart phone(1 vote)
- Come on, you already know that!(2 votes)
- when u say strong pass words does that mean things like %!@#*? or just lots of letters/numbers.(1 vote)
- Letters, numbers, and special characters must be included. Capital letters also!(1 vote)
- so do big passwords need big numders(1 vote)
- Not necessarily. Passwords can be just as effective if you use special characters, such as
[
,]
, or*
.(1 vote)
- What is the best password to use(1 vote)
- !L!K3CuPc@k3s101 is an example.(1 vote)