#thing6DigitalSecurity

[researcheryearone]

Thing 6: Digital security

The sixth workshop of the SSSC’s 23 things digital focuses on security and passwords. I personally did not find this one very helpful as I recently decided to review my online security and had therefore taken many if not all the steps this workshop recommended.  

However, that does not mean I do not see the value in this workshop as for those who have not recently reviewed their online security this workshop should be very beneficial. This workshop broke down digital security into five sections - A-E, I shall quickly summarize these now. 

A) PASSWORDS 

The workshop covers password security in the greatest detail of the five as it suggests that to have strong password security you should do the following; Use three random words to create a strong password; Never use personal details for your password such as a pets name, your favourite sports team etc. The workshop also recommends you should create a password from a memorable phrase so you don’t forget, they give the example, ‘Euan got married on a Saturday in July 1995’. The password could then be ‘EgmoaSiJ1995’ or ‘Egmoa$iJ1995’.  Furthermore you should also change passwords regularly and use a password manager to store your passwords.

B) APP PERMISION 

Make sure to regularly what your apps have access to eg your bank details or location, so you can know what is at risk if you are being hacked. 

C) UPDATES

 Be sure to check your settings after an update as settings can often go back to default settings and result in details being uploaded to the cloud or details you don’t wish being shared being shared. 

D) SOCIAL MEDIA GAMES 

Avoid playing social media games which ask you personal questions which are commonly used to create passwords - such as what’s your detective name which requires putting your maiden name and pets name together.

E) WIFI

The final section focuses on the dangers of using public wifi as your data can be easily accessed by hackers from these wifi servers, furthermore it is common for fake hot spots to be created to trick you into logging on to them so you share passwords etc. The simple rule is don’t share sensitive material over public wifi, and only use networks you can be sure to trust. 

Whilst there was personally nothing in this workshop that was new to me, I can definitely see the benefits this workshop could have to many many people as it goes into sufficient detail about the importance of digital security and how to take simple but important measures to greatly reduce the chances of being hacked.