If you are a regular reader of this blog (and if not why not?) then you may be feeling a little déjà vu at this point. Stop worrying, you are not having a “Ground Hog Day”, that was on February 2nd in Punxsutawney – (great movie, love Andie MacDowell) – Diana wrote an article a few weeks back about cleaning up your computer. In that article Diana covered some good tips about files, emails and computers – you should read it and here is a useful link to it – Clean up your computer.
Other than to tell you there is a great photo of Punxsutawney Phil on the BBC website – Week in pictures: 30 January – 5 February 2021 – BBC News just scroll down the page. It seems my work here is done. Quickest blog I have ever written.
The next day…
It seems that Kamila and Diana want me to write more…
I had a quick search on the internet for “Clean Out Your Computer Day” for some inspiration. Some people and websites seem to get very excited over this subject, but most were giving the same solid advice Diana was. I’d like to add a few details to Diana’s article.
Storage
Delete stuff you don’t need. It is good advice. However you can bet that when you delete that particular file you will be wanting it next week. At Octagon we use Microsoft 365 for Business so we have an extensive amount of storage available in the cloud, and I have 1TB of that allocated for my use. I move files that I think I am finished with into a set of archive folders in that space. Once the files have synchronised to OneDrive for Business, I right hand click on the files and choose the command “Free up space”. Now I still have access to the information but the computer is cleaned of the file – just retaining a link.
Passwords
If you cleaned your computer last month, then you have some time on your hands! Take this time and springclean your passwords.
Things to consider:
Are you using passwords that are up to giving you protection – are they complex enough – P4$$w0rD is not a good password – Octagon Technology
Do you use the same passwords for different services? If you do then this is the hackers goose that lays the golden eggs (plural).The first time they get a password to work in combination with any of your email addresses their software then automatically tries it on hundreds, maybe thousands, of other services to see if it can get in. Then it will recombine that password with any other email addresses it has associated with your identity. All this takes less time than the time it took to read this paragraph! You get the message.
Most people cannot remember hundreds of different passwords. Consider where you store your passwords – is it still appropriate and secure? If not change it. I recommend using the encryption feature in Microsoft OneNote.
Check whether you could be using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) in conjunction with your password. More details on MFA here Between Timbuktu and Timid – Octagon Technology and here Octagon Technology Free Friday 11th September 2020 MFA.
Conclusion
For my conclusion on cleaning. A clean joke.
What does the hacker’s out of office message say?
Gone phishing!
Clive
Clive has worked at Octagon Technology since 1995. His special responsibility for data privacy and security is a commitment and promise he wants to deliver to his clients. Therefore, to understand these issues better and to keep his knowledge up to date he has recently completed an MSc in Advanced Computer Security and Digital Forensics from Napier University.
It has always been Clive’s ambition to deliver responsive and reliable technology. Therefore, he is always involved in designing, researching and testing technology solutions, particularly where more complex problems exist, to deliver the results their clients need.
To fully use Clive’s new Master’s degree in Computer Security, Clive and Diana have a joint venture with an international research company to get access for our clients to up to date information, schemas, analysis, templates, actionable tools and guidance. Whatever the size of your organisation if you are not approaching IT, security and privacy in a way that supports and benefits you, they can help, from the boardroom to the shop floor.
If you would like to discuss your information security with Clive, email me at kamila@octagontech.com and I will organise a video meeting for you. He will be happy to answer questions about your particular issues. Kamila
