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Human Aspect Security Checklist

Intro:

Many data breaches, hacks and attacks are caused by human error. The following list contains steps you should take, to reduce the risk of this happening to you. Many of them are common sense, but it’s worth taking note of.

Checklist

Essential Activities

  • Social Engineering Awareness
    Priority: Essential
    Be skeptical of unsolicited requests for information, even if they appear to come from a trusted source. Social engineering is one of the most common attack vectors.

  • Verify Recipients
    Priority: Essential
    Emails can be easily spoofed. Verify the sender's authenticity, especially for sensitive actions, and prefer entering URLs manually rather than clicking links in emails.

  • Don't Trust Popup Notifications
    Priority: Essential
    Fake pop-ups can be deployed by malicious actors. Always check the URL before entering any information on a popup.

  • Never Leave Device Unattended
    Priority: Essential
    Unattended devices can be compromised even with strong passwords. Use encryption and remote erase features like Find My Phone for lost devices.

  • Educate Yourself About Phishing Attacks
    Priority: Essential
    Be cautious of phishing attempts. Verify URLs, check the context of received messages, and employ good security practices like using MFA and not reusing passwords.

  • Store Personal Data Securely
    Priority: Essential
    Ensure all personal data on devices or in the cloud is encrypted to protect against unauthorized access.

Optional Activities

  • Use Virtual Cards when Paying Online
    Priority: Optional
    Use virtual cards for online payments to protect your banking details and limit transaction risks.

  • Review Application Permissions
    Priority: Optional
    Regularly review and manage app permissions to ensure no unnecessary access to sensitive device features.

  • Opt-out of Public Lists
    Priority: Optional
    Remove yourself from public databases and marketing lists to reduce unwanted contacts and potential risks.

  • Review and Update Social Media Privacy
    Priority: Optional
    Regularly check and update your social media settings due to frequent terms updates that may affect your privacy settings.

Advanced Activities

  • Compartmentalize
    Priority: Advanced
    Keep different areas of digital activity separate to limit data exposure in case of a breach.