Defense in Depth, How to Layer Your Personal Digital Security
Defense in Depth - It’s Not Just for Businesses: How to Layer Your Digital Security
Protecting yourself online can feel challenging at times, but there’s an approach that works well and is applied to businesses everywhere: Defense in Depth.
Think of it like peeling an onion; security comes in layers, and each one adds extra protection against threats.
This post aims to provide useful insights and actionable links to help you enable security features and adopt a security first mindset at every layer.
1. Physical Security
Purpose: Protect your physical devices from theft or tampering.
Imagine losing your phone or your laptop. Your photos, bank details, and passwords could all be at risk. Physical security ensures you protect the “front door” to your device.
Recommendation:
- Use device locks, such as PINs, passcodes, or biometrics (e.g., fingerprint or facial recognition): Prevents unauthorized users from accessing your device. Please avoid common passwords like “1234,” birthdays, or easily guessed phrases. Do not reuse PIN’s/Passwords across devices!
Platform-Specific Examples:
-
Windows:
- Set Up Windows Hello: Allows biometric sign-in for secure access.
Learn about Windows Hello
- Set Up Windows Hello: Allows biometric sign-in for secure access.
-
Apple:
-
Enable Apple’s Stolen Device Protection on iPhone: Introduced in iOS 17.3, this feature adds an extra layer of security when your iPhone is away from familiar locations, such as home or work. It helps safeguard your accounts and personal information in case your iPhone is stolen. Learn more about Stolen Device Protection
-
Enable Face ID or Touch ID on Mac: Adds biometric authentication for secure access.
Learn about Face ID or Touch ID -
Enable Face ID or Touch ID on iPhone/iPad: Adds biometric authentication for secure access.
Learn about Face ID or Touch ID -
Enable Find My iPhone/iPad: This feature helps you locate, lock, or erase your device remotely if it is lost or stolen. It is an essential tool for securing your personal information and ensuring that unauthorized users cannot access your data. Learn more about Find My iPhone
-
-
Android:
-
Enable Biometric Authentication: Use fingerprint or facial recognition for additional security.
Learn about Android screen locks -
Enable Find My Device: This feature helps you locate, lock, or erase your Android device remotely if it is lost or stolen. It also allows you to display a message on the lock screen or play a sound to help locate your phone. Learn more about Find My Device
-
2. Network Security
Purpose: Safeguard your devices from unauthorized access and malicious attacks, especially when connected to the internet.
Think of your home Wi-Fi like the door to your house. You wouldn’t leave it wide open, would you? Network security is about making sure only trusted people and devices can use your internet. This protects not just your connection but everything connected to it, from your smart TV to your work emails.
Recommendations:
-
Keep Your Home Router and/or Wi-Fi Router Updated: Regularly update the firmware to patch vulnerabilities and enhance security.
-
Change the Default Password on Your Router: Replace the default password with a strong, unique password to prevent unauthorized access.
-
Set a Strong Wi-Fi Password: Use a complex and unique password for your Wi-Fi network to secure it.
Platform-Specific Examples:
-
Windows:
- Enable Windows Defender Firewall: Blocks unwanted network traffic.
Learn how to turn on Windows Defender Firewall
- Enable Windows Defender Firewall: Blocks unwanted network traffic.
-
Mac:
- Enable Firewall: Blocks unwanted incoming network connections.
Learn about the Mac firewall
- Enable Firewall: Blocks unwanted incoming network connections.
3. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Purpose: Make sure only you can access your accounts and personal information.
Imagine someone pretending to be you online; they could open credit cards in your name or even lock you out of your own accounts. IAM is about proving who you are, like showing ID but for the internet. It ensures only the real you can log in or make important changes to your accounts.
Recommendations:
-
Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Create passwords that are long (at least 12 characters), memorable, and avoid commonly used or easily guessed phrases. Use passphrases with a mix of unrelated words or phrases. Avoid reusing passwords across accounts to minimize risk if one account is compromised.
-
Use a Password Manager: Choose one that is easy to use and compatible with the devices you use most often. For instance, Apple’s built-in password manager might suffice for iPhone users. For platform-agnostic options, consider 1Password, Keeper, or Bitwarden.
-
Use Social Sign-Ons for Convenience: Services like “Sign in with Google,” “Sign in with Apple,” or “Sign in with Microsoft” provide advanced security features and reduce the need to manage multiple passwords.
-
Freeze Your Credit: Prevents unauthorized parties from opening new credit accounts in your name, significantly reducing the risk of identity theft.
-
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an additional verification layer, such as a code sent to your phone or biometric authentication, making it harder for attackers to access your accounts even if they know your password. Accounts with MFA are 99.9% less likely to be compromised. Source: Microsoft
Authentication Factor Comparison
Not all authentication factors are created equal, but don’t worry—this table can help! Take a moment to explore which factors are strongest and prioritize using them, especially for accounts with sensitive information like financial data, personal photos, or important documents. By choosing stronger factors, you’re adding an extra layer of protection to your digital life.
Strength | Factor | Examples | Characteristics | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Very Strong | Passkeys | Apple Passkeys, Google Passkeys | Device-bound, Phishing-resistant, User-verifying | (Possession + Knowledge) or (Possession + Biometric) |
Very Strong | Hardware security keys | YubiKey, Titan Security Key | Device-bound, Hardware-protected, Phishing-resistant | Possession |
Strong | Biometric authentication | Fingerprint, Face ID | User presence, Device-bound, User-verifying | Biometric |
Moderate | Authenticator apps | Google Authenticator, Authy | Device-bound, User presence | Possession |
Weak | SMS-based codes | One-time PIN via SMS | User presence | Possession |
Weak | Email-based codes | Verification email links | User presence | Possession |
Weakest | Security questions | “What was your first pet’s name?” | Knowledge-based | Knowledge |
Weakest | Password only | Account passwords | Knowledge-based | Knowledge |
4. Application Security
Purpose: Make sure the apps you use are safe and don’t misuse your information.
Ever downloaded an app and wondered, “Why does it need access to my camera or contacts?” Application security ensures the tools you rely on, like banking apps or social media, don’t leave you vulnerable. It’s about trusting that what’s on your phone or computer is there to help and not hurt.
Recommendations:
-
Regularly Update Applications: Keeps apps secure with the latest software updates.
-
Regularly Update Operating Systems: Keeps your devices protected against known vulnerabilities by applying the latest operating system patches.
Platform-Specific Examples:
-
Windows:
- Use Official Microsoft Store for Apps: Offers verified and secure apps.
Learn about Microsoft Store
- Use Official Microsoft Store for Apps: Offers verified and secure apps.
-
Apple:
-
Use the Official App Store: Provides apps reviewed by Apple for security.
Learn about the App Store -
Manage App Permissions on Mac: Control which apps have access to your data. Pay close attention to permissions granting access to sensitive information, such as location, contacts, camera, or microphone.
Manage app permissions -
Use Safety Check on iPhone: Helps review and manage shared information.
Use Safety Check
-
-
Android:
- Enable Google Play Protect: Scans apps for harmful behavior.
Learn about Google Play Protect
- Enable Google Play Protect: Scans apps for harmful behavior.
5. Cloud & Data Security
Purpose: Safeguard your personal information and files from loss, theft, and unauthorized access.
Your data holds valuable memories and essential information, whether stored on your device or in the cloud. Data security ensures your important files, like family photos and critical documents, remain protected and accessible, even if your device is lost or stolen. Cloud security extends this protection by securing backups, emails, and stored files from cyber threats, ensuring your information remains private and safe, no matter where it resides.
Platform-Specific Examples:
-
Windows:
-
Enable BitLocker Encryption: Protects your hard drive by encrypting its contents and ensuring only you have the key. Learn how to enable BitLocker
-
Use OneDrive: Automatically back up your important files for added security to Microsoft’s trusted cloud. Learn how to use OneDrive for file backup.
-
-
Apple:
-
Enable Advanced Data Protection for iCloud: Extends end-to-end encryption to more data categories, ensuring only you can access your information.
Learn how to enable Advanced Data Protection for iCloud -
Enable iCloud Backup for iPhone/iPad: Seamlessly back up your mobile device to Apple’s trusted cloud for fast recovery. Leard how to use iCloud Backup
-
Use iCloud Drive for Files: Seamlessly back up your files and data for quick recovery on your Mac and/or PC. Learn how to use iCloud Drive
-
Enable FileVault on Mac: Protects your hard drive by encrypting its contents and ensuring only you have the key. Learn how to enable FileVault
-
Google:
- Use Google Advanced Protection Program: Provides the highest level of account security, including physical security keys and restricted third-party access.
Learn about Google Advanced Protection
- Use Google Advanced Protection Program: Provides the highest level of account security, including physical security keys and restricted third-party access.
-
6. Monitoring and Logging
Purpose: Stay aware of what’s happening with your accounts and devices.
Imagine having a security camera that shows you everything happening around your home. Monitoring your accounts works the same way; it helps you catch suspicious activity early. If someone’s trying to sneak in, you’ll know and can act before it’s too late.
Recommendations:
-
Sign up for breach notifications: Services like Have I Been Pwned can alert you if your email or accounts are involved in a known data breach. Early detection allows for immediate action, such as password changes.
-
Regularly check account activity: Use tools provided by major platforms to monitor logins and account activity:
-
Monitor credit reports: Regularly check for unusual activity to detect identity theft early. Services like Experian provide frequent monitoring options.
7. Incident Response and Recovery
Purpose: Be ready to handle any security mishaps quickly and effectively.
Think of it as having a first-aid kit for your digital life. If something goes wrong, like losing access to an account or dealing with identity theft, you’ll have a plan to fix it fast. This layer is all about bouncing back and not letting one mistake take you down.
Recommendations:
-
Keep backups: Maintain copies of critical data in case of ransomware or hardware failure.
-
Know how to reset passwords and lock devices remotely: Familiarize yourself with account recovery options for all devices. Refer to these resources for step-by-step guidance:
-
Have a plan for reporting identity theft: Contact banks, freeze credit, and use resources like the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov to report and manage identity theft cases.
Final Thoughts
This guide might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be implemented all at once. Start by prioritizing the areas most relevant to you, and gradually adopt additional measures. By applying these layers of defense, you’re not just reacting to threats but proactively protecting yourself.
Remember, no single measure is perfect, but together, they make you a much harder target. Stay vigilant and continue learning about new tools and strategies to enhance your digital security.