Best Practices

  • Keep current with the latest update, firmware, windows/apple updates and even on your mobile phone as those are becoming a large part of everyone’s life.
  • Always back up your data offsite. With backup solutions as inexpensive as they are there is no reason to ever lose documents or pictures. I personally use Carbonite because its flawless. What works for me is the idea that you can ask it to only backup modified files or new files. Its unlimited data upload and download for 5 dollars a month. Consider what would happen if you lost all of your personal files? I personally have too many baby pictures not to pay the 5 dollars per month.
  • Encrypt your data on your home computer and or laptop (which ever you own) there are paid versions on the market but I find that TrueCrypt is the best free solution to keep your data safe. My consideration is this, if someone were to steal your laptop would you be more concerned about the hardware or your personal information in the hands of someone whom could abuse or sell it. Also consider just encrypting a folder or create a hidden volume on the hard drive if you travel overseas. Remember the country you are flying into has every right to search your laptop. Also with TrueCrypt you can encrypt usb flash drives as well if someone were to find it when they plugged it in, the usb flash drive would request to be formatted without the TrueCrypt key.
  • Encrypt your wireless internet while some of my clients are not concerned with this issue consider this. Do you know your neighbors 3 or 4 houses down? Because that is how far the wireless router can transmit. If a connection is left open people are going to use it. It could be to download illegal music or movies. Its your connection with your name on it, consider protecting it.
  • Virus scanners are your friend and the one that use and have used for years is AVG its free and has never let me down. It updates everyday and I’ve had no issues with it over the years.
  • Limit the amount of information you give out on the internet, I’ve seen where people said they were on vacation only to come home and find the house had been robbed because they let it be known they were out of town. This was reported to have happened on twitter.