Basic Computer protection

Basic Computer Protection

May 7th 2020, Kire

(translated by Panos)

digiges.ch/slides/en/basic-protection.html

Digitale Gesellschaft
Digital Society

A non-profit organisation that provides information and advice on consumer and legal issues in the digital space, assesses technology impacts with regard to possible effects on basic and human rights and offers services, software projects and workshops on "digital self-defense".

Digitale Gesellschaft fights for our rights of freedom in a networked world.

Keep operating system and applications up to date
Trusted sources for programs
Handling of passwords
Hard disk encryption
Regular backups
Cloud Synchronization
Conclusion

Keep operating system and applications
up to date

Most updates contain security patches
Play in real time
"Patch your stuff" instead of "never touch a running system"

Keep operating system and applications
up to date

Windows Updates
MacOS Updates
Ubuntu Linux Software Updater
iOS Software Update
Android: Depends on the manufacturer

Look in the menu or search online...

Keep applications up to date

Windows: Manually or with an Update-Tool
MacOS/iOS: App Store
Android: Google Play, F-Droid etc.
Ubuntu Linux: Software Updater

Trusted sources

Don't install software found "somewhere" in the Internet

Official manufacturer/project or through App Store, Google Play

Is the source code available? Are there any further updates?
Free of charge does not come for free: Business/sustainability model?
Pay attention to https encryption
This also applies to browser extensions, etc.!

Handling of passwords

As long as possible and "random"

Abbreviation of a sentence (incl. punctuation marks)
Juxtaposition of words
Password generator

For every service a different password
Change master passwords regularly
Use a Password Manager, such as KeePassXC

Hard Disk Encryption

Protection from offline attacks

Computer is stolen or confiscated
(Defective) mobile phone will be replaced and disposed

No protection when accessing an already powered PC
The initial encryption takes time
Before activation: Create backup!

Hard Disk Encryption

Windows: BitLocker with Password
MacOS: FileVault 2 with Recovery Key
Ubuntu/Linux: Installation option
iOS: Passcode
Android: «Encrypt Phone»

Backup

Regularly, beause backups lose value quickly
External hard disk, USB stick, "Cloud"
Attention to encryption
Multiple versions (disks, directories)
Keep it off-site
- E.g. exchange two sticks for each other
- One at home, one at work