Here are five free Windows cybersecurity tips. Take a moment and do these right now!
These will help you with your HIPAA compliance and reduce the risk that you’ll be hacked.
1) Encrypt your hard drive
Use BitLocker, Microsoft’s built-in hard drive encryption utility.
You can get instructions here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028713/windows-10-turn-on-device-encryption
Take a screenshot to prove your laptop is encrypted!
This is a Windows cybersecurity tip that a lot of people skip (at their own peril).
When BitLocker is done encrypting, take a screenshot to prove that your laptop was encrypted. Save it somewhere off your computer.
This will be super helpful if your computer is ever lost or stolen, and you need to prove that you didn’t just have a HIPAA data breach.
Here’s an article that tells you how to take a screenshot on Windows.
2) Turn on Tracking
If your laptop is lost or stolen, you may be able to get it back if you can track its location.
Make sure “Find My Device” is turned on. If your Windows computer is lost or stolen, you can find it when it connects to the Internet. You can also remotely delete it.
Instructions are here: https://www.howtogeek.com/235083/how-to-track-your-windows-10-pc-or-tablet-if-you-ever-lose-it/
3) Turn on your firewall
Firewalls stop hackers on the Internet from being able to connect to your computer.
Here’s how to turn it on: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028544/windows-10-turn-windows-defender-firewall-on-or-off
4) Unique, strong password for your Windows computer
This is one of the most important Windows cybersecurity tips.
The password for your computer should not be the same as the password you use for your:
- Electronic Health Records
- Social Media
- Online Banking
- Any other important online accounts
If it is, change it immediately. Here’s how: http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/change-password-windows-10
5) Use a non-admin account on your Windows computer
Windows has a few different types of users.
Most people use an “Administrator” account, which is a bad idea if a hacker ever gets a virus or malware on your computer.
Instead, use a “Standard” account.
Here’s how (and why): http://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-user-account-type-windows-10
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