Did you know that a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds in the US? Of course, some areas are safer than others, but there is always the risk that your laptop could be snatched if you lose focus for just one second.
The right laptop insurance coverage will allow you to claim back the cost of the device itself. But what about the data it contains? You are at risk of both losing important documents and having your privacy breached.
As such, you need to take steps to secure your laptop from theft of both the device and what is on it. Here are 7 ways to keep the data on your laptop safe.
Table of Contents
1. Set a secure password
Your laptop is something you need to sign into multiple times a day, so the temptation is to go with a simple password. Unfortunately, this sets you up for data theft. Data can be stolen even if the device itself is not taken. If someone does snatch your laptop, they may manage to get into it way too quickly. If you can get into your laptop with your fingerprint, you won’t have to worry much about constantly inputting long passwords.
2. Backup data to the cloud
For those of us who grew up in the ‘90s and early ‘00s, it still feels wrong not to have a physical backup of data. After all, that was once the only way you could ensure you don’t lose crucial documents, photos, and more. However, physical backups are problematic today. For one thing, they can easily be destroyed. For another, they can be stolen.
The cloud is extremely secure, although there are no ways to fully guarantee the safety of your data. A lot has to go wrong for someone to get hold of it or for it to be lost.
3. Use VPNs
Every individual should use a virtual private network (VPN) when online. It is necessary for keeping hackers away from your data. If you run a business, you should have another VPN as well. This should be one that only you and your staff have access to. They will need it to access any confidential data.
4. Install updates immediately
Most software updates are not particularly exciting. While occasionally you will get a whole revamped OS, most updates simply fix bugs and vulnerabilities. But this is why it is so important to install them immediately. A secure OS can be compromised over time with vulnerabilities exposed, which is why these updates are necessary. At the very least, only delay your update until the workday is over.
5. Don’t pirate content
Pirating content is illegal, but that doesn’t stop most people. It is understandable why people do this, considering that people are generally downloading content that they would otherwise have no access to. However, if it is not copyright laws that stop you from pirating, the potential for viruses should. Even the safest torrenting websites let viruses through and you may inadvertently download one. Yes, we all believe we’re smart enough to avoid them, but everyone makes mistakes.
With streaming services today, most content is available at a reasonable price. If you cannot find it on one of your streaming services, use a VPN to change your location and check if it is available there.
6. Avoid using external devices you don’t own
If someone hands you a USB with content on it, think twice before putting it in the port. They may be offering you their device in good faith, but their security standards may not be as high as yours. A virus they inadvertently downloaded could find its way onto your laptop.
7. Wipe your laptop when it’s stolen
It is tempting to wait and see whether you can get your laptop back, especially if you are still able to track it. But don’t take the chance for too long. Your data is now vulnerable, and wiping your laptop remotely will protect it. With cloud backups, restoring your data onto a new laptop is incredibly easy, and you will soon have a setup that looks exactly like your old one.
