It’s the first day of a new year and the time when people are making big plans for what they want to accomplish in the days and months to come. While many of those goals are centered around getting into shape, going on a lavish vacation, or saving up for a dream house, I do encourage you to take some time to review your goals in the cyber world. Specifically? Being a safe and smart user!

Here are some quick tips to consider going into the new year!

Data Security: Be sure to back up your data from both your mobile devices and computers. Consider investing in an external hard drive. They are inexpensive and a 1 terabyte drive would be more than enough for the casual user. This helps keep your information safe and gives you peace of mind should something happen to your device.

Reputation Security: Now is a great time to take a look at those social media contact lists and clean up shop! Clean up any posts or photos you wouldn’t want popping up should an employer go searching for you. This doesn’t make it go away forever but it does help make it harder to find. Take a look at your social media privacy settings and tweak them accordingly.

Financial Security: Keep all of your devices and securities up to date to patch up any holes in safety. Make sure to check regularly for any updates released throughout the year and update them immediately!

Mobile Security: Secure your devices with a pass code and other built-in security features. This will make it more difficult for an outsider to get into them should you misplace anything.

It is also around the new year that many social media sites and apps will update their policies. Take them time to understand what these updates mean for your privacy and safety.

Here’s to a happy and wonderful 2018!

Josh Gunderson is an award-winning Bullying Prevention and Social Media Specialist. Josh has appeared on MTV, Comedy Central and National Geographic. For more information about Josh and his educational programs please visit www.HaveYouMetJosh.com

 

You can purchase Josh’s book “Cyberbullying: Perpetrators, Bystanders & Victims” on Amazon! Available in paperback or for Kindle.