Security Essentials
Best practices and what-to-do-if first aid.
12 ARTICLES
Create a strong passphrase you can remember
Length beats complexity: four unrelated words make a password that's easy for you and brutal for attackers.
KB-0131
Enable multi-factor authentication on your Microsoft account
Turn on MFA (multi-factor authentication) on your Microsoft 365 account so that a stolen password alone cannot let an attacker in.
KB-S012
Keep software updated — why it matters
Most successful attacks exploit holes that were already fixed — on machines that hadn't installed the fix. Updating promptly is defense, not housekeeping.
KB-0133
Lock your screen when you step away
One keystroke protects everything you're signed in to. Make it a habit every time you leave your desk.
KB-0009
Recognize AI voice and deepfake scams
A voice — or a face on video — can now be faked from seconds of audio. The defense isn't detecting fakes; it's verifying requests.
KB-0234
Recognize QR-code and text-message phishing
Phishing left the inbox: fake QR codes and urgent texts use the same tricks with fewer defenses. The same ten calm seconds beat both.
KB-0233
Spot fake invoice and gift-card scams
The most expensive email scams don't hack computers — they impersonate people and change payment details. One verification habit defeats them.
KB-0134
Use public Wi-Fi safely
Coffee-shop Wi-Fi is fine for browsing and risky for assumptions. A few rules — and your phone's hotspot — cover the gap.
KB-0135
Verify unusual phone requests (vishing)
Phone scammers impersonate IT support, banks, and vendors — with caller ID on their side. One habit defeats them: hang up, call back on a number you already have.
KB-0239
What to do if an MFA prompt you didn't request appears
An approval prompt you didn't start means someone else may have your password. Deny it — never approve to make it stop.
KB-0007
What to do if you clicked a phishing link
Clicked a bad link? The next ten minutes matter more than the click. Act, report, and don't hide it.
KB-0030
What to do if you suspect ransomware
Files won't open, names look scrambled, or a demand appeared on screen: disconnect, don't power off, and call for help immediately.
KB-0138