Cyber Smart Week – Update your devices
Keeping our software and devices updated is one of the easiest and most effective ways of protecting yourself from a cyber-attack.
You may have noticed that new updates of software are available all the time. Sometimes they’re releasing new features or fixing ‘bugs’ in the code, but software updates are also about fixing security weaknesses or vulnerabilities.
Vulnerabilities are parts of the app or software that can be used for purposes other than those intended. It’s through these vulnerabilities that attackers can gain access to your device and your information.
When developers identify vulnerabilities, they quickly change the code to resolve the issue and send it to your device as a software update, often through your app store.
The sooner your system is updated, the less time an attacker has to find and use these weaknesses.
Update all your devices, including your phone
It’s easy to forget that our smartphones are just small computers and that we need to put the same effort into protecting them as we do our other devices.
Most of us check work emails and use our smartphones to access Fire and Emergency systems which makes them vulnerable to attacks of your information and Fire and Emergency’s too.
Remember to update less obvious things around your home as well. Many appliances — printers, heat pumps, wireless speakers and garage door openers, for example — are ‘smart’ appliances, which can be controlled remotely, often via a mobile app. It’s good to keep those updated as well.
Find out more about updating devices here(external link)
Updating your phone
When you’re updating your phone (or setting it to auto update), check the permissions and settings on your apps. It's important to make sure they don’t have access to any other features that you’re not comfortable with or put confidential work-related information at risk. For example, you might want Facebook to access your photo library, for example, but your weather app probably doesn’t need to.
Fire and Emergency updates
Fire and Emergency computers are updated by our IT team at regular intervals, as long as the devices are connected to our network. If you’re often using a laptop in locations that don’t have connectivity to the Fire and Emergency network, you should try to take your device to a location with connectivity to the network monthly and leave it connected for three consecutive days to ensure they receive the latest updates.
Fire and Emergency issued mobile devices (tablets and mobile phones) should be configured to receive automatic operating system (e.g. Android, iOS) updates.
If you have any questions get in touch: ICT Helpdesk (0800 374 843 or ict.support@fireandemergency.nz)