Keeping your devices healthy

Your laptop and phone hold the keys to your work. A few steady habits keep them trustworthy.

Keep software updated

Most updates fix security holes that attackers already know about. Turning on automatic updates for your operating system, browser, and apps closes those holes quickly. "Remind me later" leaves the door open.

Lock your screen

Set your device to lock after a short idle time, and lock it yourself whenever you step away, even for a minute. An unlocked laptop in a cafe or a shared office is an open invitation.

Install only what you need, from where you trust

Download apps from official stores or the vendor's own site. Be wary of browser extensions and "free" tools that ask for broad permissions. The fewer programs you run, the smaller your risk.

Encrypt your storage

Full-disk encryption means a lost or stolen device is a brick to a thief, not a treasure chest. It is usually a single setting to turn on, and most work devices have it enabled already.

Be careful with removable media

An unknown USB stick can carry malware. Do not plug in drives you find or receive unexpectedly.

Quick rules

1. Automatic updates on, everywhere.
2. Screen locks on idle and when you walk away.
3. Apps from trusted sources only; remove what you do not use.
4. Disk encryption on; back up important work.