Spring clean your WFH setup with these security top-ups

Woman wearing headphones using a laptop.
(Image credit: Shutterstock: fizkes)

Spring is finally here, and after months of cold and darkness, what better time to have a full refresh and clean to set yourself up for the rest of the year.

Alongside clearing out your wardrobe or cupboards though, it's also a good time to consider security spring cleaning too.

New security threats are emerging all the time, so it's always a good idea to ensure all your smart devices are equipped with the latest protection. But if you’re not sure where to start, here’s some tips to make sure you’re on top of all your security concerns.

Clean out that inbox

We're all busy people, but that's no excuse for letting your inbox overflow, slowing down your browser and taking you as far from "inbox zero" as possible.

Filtering your emails with enforceable rules can greatly lessen the strain on your inbox, sorting messages into different folders depending on their content - but can also provide a security boost. 

Diverting potentially risky emails into your spam or junk folder greatly reduces the chance of falling victim to a cyberattack, and fortunately Bitdefender Total Security includes a thorough anti-spam system to keep you safe, working even across local email clients such as Microsoft Outlook and Thunderbird. 

Make time for a password refresh

As well as freshening up your outfits, spring cleaning can also be a great chance to give your passwords a refresh.

We all know that having complex, hard-to-crack passwords using a strong mix of letters, numbers and special characters for each different account is vital for staying safe online, but remembering these details can often be tricky.

Bitdefender Total Security features an in-built Password Manager service to let you keep track of all your login details, and keep all the information safe from hackers, as all it takes is for one password to be compromised for hackers to gain knowledge of all your other account logins. 

Make sure all your devices are upgraded

However, it's no good having strong passwords alone, as keeping all your devices updated with the latest security protection is also vital.

Although most security worries still focus on PCs and laptops, smartphones and tablets are becoming increasingly common targets for cybercriminals. Along with containing important personal details such as banking logins or social media logins, mobile devices are vital for many hybrid workers, meaning business data is also often present for hackers to target.

Mobile devices often go unprotected against security threats, but Bitdefender Total Security offers multi-device protection, with up to five devices able to be secured, whether Windows, Mac, iOS or Android, to keep all your items safe. 

Get yourself a VPN

Staying private online has never been more important, whether that's using a mobile device for business use as mentioned above, or just making sure no one can spot what websites you're visiting in your browser. 

One of the best ways to keep your data and your browsing habits secure is by using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, which disguises your actual location, making your connection appear to be originating from another country or region, and meaning anyone trying to snoop on your browsing is immediately halted.

Bitdefender Total Security comes with its own built-in and improved VPN service that includes 200 megabytes of VPN traffic per day, allowing you to visit whatever sites you wish online without fear of anything being detected.