Cybersecurity Focus: Practice Good Cyber Hygiene

Art Miller

To learn more about cybersecurity best practices, visit the Cybersecurity Checklist.

Do you have good cyber hygiene routines in place? Cyber hygiene is about training yourself to think proactively about your cyber security — as you do with your daily personal hygiene — to resist cyber threats and online security issues. Some people take cybersecurity for granted, but it's critical to learn best practices as cyber threats continue to evolve. Establishing solid cyber hygiene practices should be as routine as washing your face.  

Update Your Web Browsers and Extensions 
The best way to protect your devices and the data stored on them is to keep your operating system, apps and web browsers updated. These updates are particularly important because they often include software patches that address flaws that could let in viruses or hackers. Developers may not always alert you when a critical patch has been implemented, because this might alert hackers of vulnerabilities.  

Make sure you are running the latest operating systems for your devices: 

• Check for Windows Updates 
• Get the Latest MacOS Updates 
• Update Your iOS Devices 
• Check for Android Updates 

Visit IT Services' browser troubleshooting page to get the info you need to update your browsers. 

Secure Your Files 
Keep your files secure by backing up important files in the cloud. OneDrive is the preferred file storage solution at the U of A. This can help protect against many types of data loss, especially if hackers gain access to one of your devices.  

Keep Your Hard Drive Clean 
If you are selling your personal laptop, tablet or smartphone, ensure your sensitive information does not get passed along as well. Merely deleting files or data is not enough. Part of good cyber hygiene is reformatting and then wiping your hard drive clean when it is time to sell or discard your computer. Consider disk-wiping software to remove applications and data from your hard drive. 

Make Cyber Hygiene Part of Your Routine 
Prevent sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands by protecting your personal and university-owned devices. Learning to monitor your cybersecurity regularly can increase your chances of avoiding an online threat. Get started by setting an alarm or marking a calendar with dates to address a series of tasks — things such as updating the operating systems of all your devices and periodically changing your passwords.  

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global effort to help everyone stay safe and protected when using technology whenever and however you connect. Simple steps such as storing data securely in OneDrive, avoiding and reporting suspicious messages and keeping software updated can go a long way toward protecting our campus community online. Throughout the month of October, get to know the basics of cybersecurity with the IT Services' Cybersecurity Checklist  and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) resources.