🔄 Ongoing Maintenance

🛠️ What is it?#

Ongoing maintenance involves routine actions to ensure your digital security remains effective. This includes keeping devices, software, and accounts updated, monitoring for threats, and maintaining a proactive stance against potential vulnerabilities.

🚨 Why is this important?#

Cyber threats constantly evolve. Attackers target outdated software, exploit weak credentials, and breach unmonitored systems. Without regular maintenance:

• Devices become vulnerable to malware and ransomware.
• Unused accounts can provide entry points for hackers.
• Critical data may be lost due to inadequate backup strategies.

By committing to ongoing security practices, you significantly reduce the risk of breaches, data theft, and financial loss.

🛡️ What can I do?#

🟢 Start Here (The Basics)#

1. Keep Everything Updated

   • Enable automatic updates for your operating systems, apps, and devices.
   • Regular updates patch vulnerabilities and defend against new threats.
   • Prioritize updates for critical devices like routers and IoT devices.

2. Backup Regularly

   • Schedule backups for essential files and ensure they occur automatically.
   • Use cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud and external drives for redundancy.
   • Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies of data, 2 local on different devices, 1 offsite (cloud or external storage).

3. Monitor Accounts and Devices

   • Regularly review login attempts, connected devices, and app activity.
   • Set up alerts for suspicious login attempts.
   • Use tools like Google Account Security Checkup or Microsoft Account Review.

4. Change Passwords Periodically

   • Rotate passwords for sensitive accounts (e.g., banking, email) at least annually.
   • Use password managers like Bitwarden or 1Password to generate and store unique, strong passwords.

5. Review App and Device Permissions

   • Check permissions granted to apps and devices.
   • Revoke access for outdated or unused apps and restrict excessive permissions to sensitive data.

🔵 Want Extra Protection? (Leveling Up)#

1. Enable Security Notifications

   • Turn on notifications for suspicious activity from services like your bank, email provider, or social media accounts.
   • Set up breach alerts through tools like Have I Been Pwned.

2. Run Routine Security Scans

   • Use trusted antivirus and anti-malware tools like Malwarebytes or Norton Security to detect threats.
   • Schedule weekly scans for comprehensive protection.

3. Test Your Backups

   • Periodically restore files from backups to ensure they’re functional and complete.
   • Label and organize backups for easy recovery during emergencies.

4. Secure Your Network

   • Remove old or unused devices from your home network.
   • Regularly update your Wi-Fi password and enable WPA3 encryption.
   • Use advanced tools like network segmentation to separate devices like IoT gadgets from your primary network.

5. Stay Informed and Share Knowledge

   • Follow cybersecurity blogs or alerts (e.g., CISA or StaySafeOnline).
   • Teach family members about secure practices, such as recognizing phishing emails or updating devices regularly.

📚 Handy Tools and Resources#

• Backup Services:

  • Backblaze, Google Drive, iCloud

• Password Managers:

  • Bitwarden, 1Password

• Security Scanners:

  • Malwarebytes, Norton Security

• Activity Monitoring:

  • Google Account Security Checkup, Microsoft Account Review

✍️ Quick Tips#

• Disable accounts you no longer use to minimize your attack surface.
• Set reminders to review and adjust your cybersecurity practices every 6 months.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (MFA) for critical accounts to add an extra layer of security.

📝 Checklist#

• Enable automatic updates for all devices and software.
• Schedule backups to both cloud storage and external drives.
• Regularly monitor accounts and devices for suspicious activity.
• Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
• Review and limit app permissions to protect sensitive data.
• Test backups periodically to ensure reliability.
• Run weekly security scans for threats like malware or viruses.
• Remove unused accounts and devices from your network.

📖 Sources#

• CISA – Secure Our World
• NSA – Cybersecurity Practices for Digital Maintenance
• Stay Safe Online – Digital Security Tips
• Router Security Resource