Making smart devices smarter: Boosting security and connecting without consequences
Convenience and efficiency are easily attained when Wi-Fi-capable devices are implemented. Countless connected tools support productivity with ease in the modern workplace, from TVs to computers, registers to card scanners, and even breakroom refrigerators.
This “interconnectedness” of numerous devices—handy though it may be—also provides a pathway for hackers, if left unsecured. Leaping from the smart fridge (full of snacks) to the work laptop (full of sensitive documents) is far from insurmountable for the seasoned cybercriminal.
The web of connections between your numerous devices, called the “Internet of Things” (IoT), may feel too complex to detangle. Luckily, securing them can be quite straightforward and hassle-free. The following tips will help you follow the golden rule: "If you connect it, protect it!"
Use two-factor authentication. A strong password is the bare minimum - go the extra mile with two-factor authentication, where users can only log in after presenting two or more pieces of identifying evidence. For example, before you can log in to your MyASU portal, you must provide your password and confirm your identity via the DUO app on your phone. This material approach confirms it's really you, providing an additional layer of security against hackers.
Connect with a VPN. A virtual private network, or VPN, offers an extra layer of protection when using public Wi-Fi networks, which are often insecure. By utilizing a VPN, web-surfers mitigate the risks posed by the unguarded public networks hackers exploit to steal personal data.
Reset factory passwords. Default passwords can be easily guessed. If your password is simply “password,” it’s time for some customizing! To ensure the strongest password possible, use a mixture of letters, numbers and symbols, bearing in mind that "length lends strength."
Wipe old devices. Negating all your painstaking efforts to secure your data is the worst-case scenario. Yet, it can be easily stumbled into: if you sell or dispose of an unwiped device, you run the risk of handing your data to an unknown, potentially untrustworthy third party. Before selling or disposing of a device, use the factory reset function to eradicate all data, accounts and passwords.
Feeling empowered to protect your data? Want to learn more about device security? Visit ASU GetProtected to read more and refine your approach to device management for Cybersecurity Awareness Month!