How much do you know about cybersecurity?

Advice from an expert.

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Alexandra is a cybersecurity consultant who also works as a Coaching Psychologist and Academic and is the author of Cybersecurity for Coaches and Therapists - A Practical Guide for Protecting Client Data, published by Routledge in 2022.

I met Alexandra online probably twenty years ago when we were both part of the same writing community and then finally in person earlier this year in Copenhagen, where she lives and where I was on a recce with my eldest son.

We were chatting about annoying app updates and I said I don’t have automatic updates on. She told me that I absolutely should turn them on for cybersecurity reasons, which I hadn’t even thought about. So I asked her to write something in case anyone else has been as oblivious as me.

What do you notice most about people’s reaction to cybersecurity? 

That they are scared they can’t do it.  But ultimately, it’s just small things we can do to protect ourselves online.  Small layers and behaviour changes.  I hope today I can just bring over a couple of things and a positive tip.   

Firstly, when it comes to security – whether physical, monetary or cyber there’s different parts to think about: protect, defend, respond (and recover if something happens). 

Let’s think about the first one – protect. 

One way to protect yourself online – in the cyberspace – is making sure the device you use has security software on it.  This helps stop malicious software (‘malware’) coming onto your device which can still all your documents or track your log in credentials (amongst other things). 

Some people still use the term ‘anti-virus’ – meaning ‘security software’.  The reason I don’t is that people trying to hack you today use more than ‘viruses’ as a technique and many products that were formerly labelling themselves as ‘anti-virus’ software do much more now. 

What does security software do? 

It depends on the product you buy – but typically how it works is by searching through your device, checking that you don’t have any malware downloaded. 

It does that by matching patterns or signatures in its database of known malware to everything on your device.   

Anything that matches might be something malicious.  It will then typically, depending on the product, move this to ‘quarantine’ and flag it for your attention.    

What you need to remember is you need a product that works “real time” - (live/continuously) as these have a better chance of protecting you as they will scan through anything new you put on your device.  Products that are free often do not work “real time” and scan maybe once a day or when you click them to run.  There you run the risk something is on your computer for some time before the scan runs.  Then it might be too late. 

Which software is best ? 

Always do your own research based on the time you buy it as what is best right now – can change.  Also, it depends a little on what the devices you have (mac/windows, iPhone/android…).   

If you used the same product for years – please do go do some searches on “best security software for….” – adding your device.  It might be time to switch.   

Don’t be taken in by products selling a lot of add-ons and extras and storage and all the bells and whistles – you need software that is the best at stopping malicious software entering your devices and protecting everything you do and store on them. 

You promised us a positive tip? 

I did.  So, like anything - security software has sales! Where you see sales on at the shops - start to check out which security providers may also have a sale for “security software” and any other security tools you need. 

Don’t forget you also must put these products on your phones and tablets. There’s actually been research which shows people are much more likely to click on something malicious on a phone – it’s linked to that we use them today for convenience and to keep up with the fast-pace of our lives.  So, we tend to click before we think.   

When companies have sales, they sometimes offer a subscription for more devices or over a longer period for a good price.  It’s totally worth looking at these offers.  Remember you just need a solid security product – so don’t fall for extras you aren’t really going to use.  Most products also have a trial version – so test it – make sure it’s easy to use.  Make friends with it! 

Anything else? 

If you are on a device that wants to update – update it.  Also, software that wants to restart.  Don’t keep browsers open forever.  Log off each night so when you start up – you’re installing anything new that has been made available.  Updates linked to security are really important. 

If you find this interesting or – let me know in the comments so that I can come back one day with more. I’m happy to answer any questions.