{"id":838,"date":"2025-08-21T10:23:53","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T14:23:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/?p=838"},"modified":"2025-08-21T10:26:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T14:26:52","slug":"your-device-hygiene-stinks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/2025\/08\/21\/your-device-hygiene-stinks\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Device Hygiene Stinks\u2014Time for a Digital Shower"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If your phone hasn\u2019t had an update since last semester, or your laptop wheezes like it just ran a marathon, it might be time for a little\u2026 <em data-start=\"431\" data-end=\"442\">clean-up.<\/em> Device hygiene isn\u2019t about soap and shampoo\u2014it\u2019s about updates, security, and good digital habits. Bad hygiene doesn\u2019t just make your tech smell funny\u2014it makes it vulnerable to hackers.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"484\" data-end=\"544\">Here\u2019s your self-care guide for personal and work devices:<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"546\" data-end=\"549\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"689\" data-end=\"724\">Give Your Device a Checkup<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"725\" data-end=\"1193\">\n<li data-start=\"725\" data-end=\"903\">\n<p data-start=\"727\" data-end=\"903\"><strong data-start=\"727\" data-end=\"746\">Install updates<\/strong> \u2013 Operating systems, apps, and security tools all release fixes for vulnerabilities.\u00a0If you\u2019re a \u201cremind me later\u201d person\u2014don\u2019t be!<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"725\" data-end=\"1193\">\n<li data-start=\"725\" data-end=\"903\">Check under <strong><em data-start=\"761\" data-end=\"789\">Settings \u2192 Software Update<\/em> (iOS\/Android)<\/strong> or <strong><em data-start=\"807\" data-end=\"844\">Windows Update \/ System Preferences<\/em> (PC\/Mac)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"1093\">\n<p data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"1093\"><strong data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"933\">Check security software<\/strong> \u2013 Make sure antivirus and firewalls are turned on. On university devices, look for the <strong>security shield icon (Windows)<\/strong> or <strong>System Preferences \u2192 Security (Mac)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1094\" data-end=\"1193\">\n<p data-start=\"1096\" data-end=\"1193\"><strong data-start=\"1096\" data-end=\"1117\">Restart regularly<\/strong> \u2013 Haven\u2019t restarted in a week? That means updates might still be pending.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1200\" data-end=\"1231\">Brush Up Your Security<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1624\">\n<li data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1359\">\n<p data-start=\"1234\" data-end=\"1359\"><strong data-start=\"1234\" data-end=\"1247\">Passwords<\/strong> \u2013 Ask yourself: \u201cDo I use the same password more than once?\u201d If yes, it\u2019s time to move to a password manager.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1502\">\n<p data-start=\"1362\" data-end=\"1502\"><strong data-start=\"1362\" data-end=\"1373\">Duo MFA<\/strong> \u2013 Double-check <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/security\/duo-mfa\/\">Duo<\/a> is turned on for your university accounts <em data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1440\">and<\/em> consider adding MFA on personal email and banking apps too.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1624\">\n<li data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1502\">You can use Duo for your personal accounts too!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1503\" data-end=\"1624\">\n<p data-start=\"1505\" data-end=\"1624\"><strong data-start=\"1505\" data-end=\"1520\">Device lock<\/strong> \u2013 On your phone, check if Face ID\/Touch ID or a PIN is required immediately when you lock the screen.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1624\">\n<li data-start=\"1503\" data-end=\"1624\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/guide\/iphone\/set-a-passcode-iph14a867ae\/ios\">iOS (Apple)<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1503\" data-end=\"1624\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/android\/answer\/9079129?hl=en\">Android<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1631\" data-end=\"1665\">Declutter the Junk Drawer<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"1666\" data-end=\"2006\">\n<li data-start=\"1666\" data-end=\"1769\">\n<p data-start=\"1668\" data-end=\"1769\"><strong data-start=\"1668\" data-end=\"1683\">Unused apps<\/strong> \u2013 Scroll through your phone. Do you recognize every app? If not, delete the extras.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1770\" data-end=\"1862\">\n<p data-start=\"1772\" data-end=\"1862\"><strong data-start=\"1772\" data-end=\"1792\">Downloads folder<\/strong> \u2013 Open it up: if you don\u2019t need that random PDF from 2021, toss it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1863\" data-end=\"2006\">\n<p data-start=\"1865\" data-end=\"2006\"><strong data-start=\"1865\" data-end=\"1887\">Browser extensions<\/strong> \u2013 If you don\u2019t remember installing it, it doesn\u2019t need to be there.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1666\" data-end=\"2006\">\n<li data-start=\"1863\" data-end=\"2006\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/chrome_webstore\/answer\/2664769?hl=en\">Google Chrome<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1863\" data-end=\"2006\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/102343\">Apple Safari<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1863\" data-end=\"2006\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/microsoft-edge\/add-turn-off-or-remove-extensions-in-microsoft-edge-9c0ec68c-2fbc-2f2c-9ff0-bdc76f46b026\">Microsoft Edge<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1863\" data-end=\"2006\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.mozilla.org\/en-US\/kb\/extensions-button\">Mozilla Firefox<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"2013\" data-end=\"2044\">Avoid the Germy Stuff<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"2045\" data-end=\"2600\">\n<li data-start=\"2045\" data-end=\"2370\">\n<p data-start=\"2047\" data-end=\"2103\"><strong data-start=\"2047\" data-end=\"2075\">Be smart about downloads<\/strong> \u2013 Before installing, ask:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2106\" data-end=\"2370\">\n<li data-start=\"2106\" data-end=\"2185\">\n<p data-start=\"2108\" data-end=\"2185\">Did this come from the official app store or the vendor\u2019s official website?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2188\" data-end=\"2268\">\n<p data-start=\"2190\" data-end=\"2268\">Does the app have good reviews and millions of downloads, or only a handful?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2271\" data-end=\"2370\">\n<p data-start=\"2273\" data-end=\"2370\">Are the permissions reasonable (e.g., a flashlight app shouldn\u2019t need access to your contacts)?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2371\" data-end=\"2475\">\n<p data-start=\"2373\" data-end=\"2475\"><strong data-start=\"2373\" data-end=\"2382\">Wi-Fi<\/strong> \u2013 Check you\u2019re on a secure network (look for the lock symbol). On public Wi-Fi? Use a VPN.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2476\" data-end=\"2600\">\n<p data-start=\"2478\" data-end=\"2600\"><strong data-start=\"2478\" data-end=\"2490\">Phishing<\/strong> \u2013 Hover over links before clicking. If the URL looks off, it\u2019s bait. Report it with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/security\/pab\/\">Phish Alert Button<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"2607\" data-end=\"2649\">Don\u2019t Skip Flossing (Back It Up!)<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"2650\" data-end=\"2929\">\n<li data-start=\"2650\" data-end=\"2825\">\n<p data-start=\"2652\" data-end=\"2825\"><strong data-start=\"2652\" data-end=\"2663\">Backups<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0Protect yourself from data loss due to theft, failure, or ransomware.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2650\" data-end=\"2929\">\n<li data-start=\"2650\" data-end=\"2825\">\n<p data-start=\"860\" data-end=\"887\"><strong data-start=\"860\" data-end=\"885\">For Personal Devices:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"888\" data-end=\"1420\">\n<li data-start=\"888\" data-end=\"987\">\n<p data-start=\"890\" data-end=\"987\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/108366\"><strong data-start=\"890\" data-end=\"908\">iCloud (Apple)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"988\" data-end=\"1100\">\n<p data-start=\"990\" data-end=\"1100\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/108366\"><strong data-start=\"990\" data-end=\"1019\">Android<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1101\" data-end=\"1205\">\n<p data-start=\"1103\" data-end=\"1205\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/microsoft-365\/onedrive\/online-cloud-storage\"><strong data-start=\"1103\" data-end=\"1136\">Microsoft OneDrive (personal)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1206\" data-end=\"1272\">\n<p data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1272\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/basic\"><strong data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1219\">Dropbox<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-start=\"314\" data-end=\"348\"><strong data-start=\"314\" data-end=\"346\">For University\/Work Devices:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2650\" data-end=\"2929\">\n<li data-start=\"529\" data-end=\"648\"><span style=\"color: #333333\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/data-integrity-handling-and-sharing-windows\/\">Data Integrity, Handling and Sharing (Windows)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"529\" data-end=\"648\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/data-integrity-handling-and-sharing-mac\/\">Data Integrity, Handling and Sharing (Mac)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2826\" data-end=\"2929\">\n<p data-start=\"2828\" data-end=\"2929\"><strong data-start=\"2828\" data-end=\"2845\">Test restores<\/strong> \u2013 Try restoring a single photo or document to confirm your backup actually works.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"2931\" data-end=\"2934\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"2936\" data-end=\"3174\"><strong data-start=\"2939\" data-end=\"2955\">Bottom line:<\/strong> Device hygiene isn\u2019t just personal self-care\u2014it protects your classmates, colleagues, and the entire university network. A little routine maintenance keeps your tech fresh, healthy, and ready for whatever comes next.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"284\" data-end=\"423\"><p><strong>&#8220;An iPhone is a computer that happens to make phone calls.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Emily Harris JD, CISSP, CIPP\/US<br \/>\nChief Information Security Officer<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>Want to Know More?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ÌÇÐÄvlog| <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/290\/2025\/06\/Cyber-Hygiene-Checklist.pdf\">Cyber Hygiene Checklist<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ÌÇÐÄvlog |\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #333333\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/data-integrity-handling-and-sharing-windows\/\">Data Integrity, Handling and Sharing (Windows)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ÌÇÐÄvlog |\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/data-integrity-handling-and-sharing-mac\/\">Data Integrity, Handling and Sharing (Mac)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">TechRadar | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/pro\/you-wouldnt-skip-handwashing-so-why-skip-mobile-security-hygiene\">You wouldn\u2019t skip handwashing \u2013 so why skip mobile security hygiene?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>MCNC | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcnc.org\/news\/blog\/the-importance-of-cyber-hygiene-for-students-and-faculty\/\">The Importance of Cyber Hygiene for Students and Faculty<\/a><\/p>\n<p>GovTech| <a href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/education\/k-12\/a-cybersecurity-experts-tips-for-student-cyber-hygiene-this-summer\">A Cybersecurity Expert&#8217;s Tips for Student &#8216;Cyber Hygiene&#8217; This Summer<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If your phone hasn\u2019t had an update since last semester, or your laptop wheezes like it just ran a marathon, it might be time for a little\u2026 clean-up. Device hygiene isn\u2019t about soap and shampoo\u2014it\u2019s about updates, security, and good digital habits. Bad hygiene doesn\u2019t just make your tech smell funny\u2014it makes it vulnerable to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":349,"featured_media":625,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/349"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=838"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":841,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838\/revisions\/841"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/625"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}