Ye Golden Nuggets of Information Security

Top of the morning to you and yours, we leprechauns have been talking to some of ye information security professionals and it sounds like there are several squirrely rascals looking to steal stuff from ye computers. So we decided that ye may need a bit of good luck and some helpful hints. So in the spirit of friendship we are offering our brightest nuggets of advice to keep ye computer safe.

• Never allow an untrusted person remote access to your Computer: They may pretend to be a tech or a friend, but don’t allow them access unless you know and trust them.
• Clear your online form data: If someone does get into ye computer don’t make it easy for them by having all ye personal information set to prefill in ye username, password, address, etc. Clear the data by cleaning ye browsing cache. Ye can do this in IE: Tools – Internet Options—General Tab—Browsing History—Delete. In Chrome: Settings—Privacy—Clear Browsing Data. Check online for information on how to do this in other browsers and devices. You may want to also consider using a password manager to keep these things safe.
• Use password phrases: Use a  long passphrase (10-15 characters)  instead of a password, but make sure to have upper/lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. For example you could take the phrase, “Live Long and Prosper!” and make it “L!ve10ng&pro$p3r!” or you could take the first two letters of each word and create “LiLoAnPr!” and then change it with special characters and numbers like “Li10@nPr!”.
• Lock your smartphones, tablets, and computers when not in use: Just like we Leprechauns hide our gold at the end of a rainbow, ye should hide your valuable personal information in locked devices and computers when you are not around. So lock ye smart phones, tablets and computers where wandering eyes can’t spy your secrets and happy hands can’t use your stuff when you’re away.
• Use virtual credit card numbers when shopping online: If ye need to make purchases online why not purchase a virtual credit card number or a gift card that has no connection to your real credit card or bank account. They can usually be purchased in a store and they can be reloaded as necessary. As a word or warning though, DO NOT Purchase these cards on sites like eBay and Craig’s List as they may be fake.
• Turn off file sharing on your computers and mobile devices: Do not share files and folders on your computers and mobile devices unless it is information you are willing to share with the whole world. We extend this advice to Blue Tooth devices and social media sites as well.

If ye follow these golden nuggets and trust we leprechauns’ advice then good fortune will be yours and keep ye from screaming like a Banshee because some nasty troll stole ye data. So until we meet again me friends; may the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past!