Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Digital Security

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Digital Security

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Apr 17, 2014

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Digital SecuritySince Spring sprung on March 20, Texas has had some crazy weather! This whole week has been cold, like coat and scarf type of cold! (#onlyinTexas) Nevertheless, it’s time for some Spring cleaning. I’ve already gone through my whole house and donated or trashed things that I haven’t used in years, so I feel like I’m ahead of the game. Next, I’m dedicating some time to sprucing up my digital security. Here’s my checklist:

✔Delete unused accounts: Cybercrimnals can piece together important information about you for any online profiles, and dormant online accounts, like MySpace, Friendster, AOL, etc. gives these criminals an easy way in.

✔Update anti-virus software: Please know that anti-virus software does expire and your computer may be running unprotected. Consider adding free anti-malware software, too, which will help catch threats your anti-virus software may miss.

✔Change passwords: Use an illogical combination of symbols, numbers and capital/lower case letters. Trouble remembering your passwords? Consider using password management software or store them on a jump drive and store the jump drive in a fire-proof safe in your home.

✔Install firmware updates: Look for firmware updates for your phone, tablet, printer, router, network-attached storage devices, etc. because these updates often have security software fixes. You have to take the initiative on this one. Device manufacturers typically do not send firmware update reminders, so it’s your responsibility to find these updates and download them.

✔Uninstall Apps: Take the time to uninstall apps that weren’t downloaded from the official Google Play or Apple store. Consider downloading a mobile security app and activate a remote lock-and-wipe feature.

✔Update Wi-Fi security: Update passwords, change or hide service set identification (SSID) and make sure it has all updates installed.

✔Deep clean PC: Consider downloading the free Microsoft Windows Defender Offline and put it on a jump drive. Insert the jump drive and restart your computer so that your computer boots from Windows Defender Offline. This will allow you to go deep into your system and find dangerous malware that’s hiding from anti-virus software.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • AI Is Now the Leading Cybersecurity Concern for Security, IT Leaders

    Arctic Wolf recently published findings from its State of Cybersecurity: 2025 Trends Report, offering insights from a global survey of more than 1,200 senior IT and cybersecurity decision-makers across 15 countries. Conducted by Sapio Research, the report captures the realities, risks, and readiness strategies shaping the modern security landscape. Read Now

  • Analysis of AI Tools Shows 85 Percent Have Been Breached

    AI tools are becoming essential to modern work, but their fast, unmonitored adoption is creating a new kind of security risk. Recent surveys reveal a clear trend – employees are rapidly adopting consumer-facing AI tools without employer approval, IT oversight, or any clear security policies. According to Cybernews Business Digital Index, nearly 90% of analyzed AI tools have been exposed to data breaches, putting businesses at severe risk. Read Now

  • Software Vulnerabilities Surged 61 Percent in 2024, According to New Report

    Action1, a provider of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) solutions, today released its 2025 Software Vulnerability Ratings Report, revealing a 61% year-over-year surge in discovered software vulnerabilities and a 96% spike in exploited vulnerabilities throughout 2024, amid an increasingly aggressive threat landscape. Read Now

  • Motorola Solutions Named Official Safety Technology Supplier of the Ryder Cup through 2027

    Motorola Solutions has today been named the Official Safety Technology Supplier of the 2025 and 2027 Ryder Cup, professional golf’s renowned biennial team competition between the United States and Europe. Read Now

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.