Bytetin Sixteen: Level-up… with successful security settings
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The software for changing your security settings is very intuitive and easy to use. Let’s put it like this: if you can create and edit a playlist on your favourite music streaming service, you can easily alter the security settings on your device for the better.
And that is your task for this weekend – to upgrade your security settings so that you’re safer from cyber-attacks. Here’s how…
For Microsoft users:
Microsoft’s inbuilt security settings are pretty good these days, you simply need to make sure they’re turned on. We suggest you complete the following steps to turn on Windows Defender on your device.
- Select the Start menu.
- In the search bar, type group policy. Then select Edit group policy from the listed results. The Local Group Policy Editor will open.
- Select Computer Configuration: Administrative Templates: Windows Components: Windows Defender Antivirus.
- Scroll to the bottom of the list and select Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus.
- Select ‘Disabled’ or ‘Not configured’. It might feel counter-intuitive to select these options because the names suggest that you’re turning Windows Defender off but don’t worry, these options actually ensure it’s turned on.
- Select Apply > OK.
For Apple users
Use the General pane of Security & Privacy preferences to protect your Apple Mac from malware and tampering.
To change these preferences on your Apple Mac, choose Apple menu | System Preferences, then click Security & Privacy, then click General. We suggest you:
- Change your password
- Enable biometrics
- Require a password after sleep or after the screen saver begins
- Disable automatic login if the device is restarted
- Only allow apps downloaded from the official App StoreUse the Advanced pane of Security & Privacy preferences to adjust the security settings of your Mac; we suggest you:
- Select to automatically log out users after the Mac is idle for a set number of minutes
- Require an administrator password to access system-wide preferences
- Disable remote control infrared receiver, and
- Turn on the screen saver when the login token is removed.
