On the Eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me – ‘Dog Food!’

Well, here we are at Christmas Blog number four, and in this run-up to the most magical time of the year, we have considered Security Awareness, Santa, and NORAD – a very interesting mix. However, let’s move on to the really interesting bit – the giving, and RECEIVING of presents.

This year, I am certain that many readers, and members of their families will be lucky enough to get some funky gadgets dropped into their respective stocking, ranging from a brand new, shiny iPhone, an iPad2, or one of the many techno toys that get snapped up from the shelves each December. And there is no doubt whatsoever, all these things bring joy, and fun, but we must not forget the prospect of ‘Seasonal-Insecurity’ they may impose on our peaceful lives!

This year we need to remember, and remind those close to us, that the out-of-box configuration of our new toys may not always deliver much in the way of security. So it’s time to bring the office ‘Dog-Food’ to the home, and then gently spoon feed the need for security to our nearest-and-dearests. Trying not to nag them 'too' much, but let us remind them that it is a good idea to set the power-on password on that new Smart Cell Phone. Encourage that Bluetooth is only enabled when it’s required – and even then, where possible set to be hidden. And maybe, in the case of the Smart Phone, point them in the right direction where they will find the best Anti-Malware solution possible to provision a slice of security to underpin longevity of their enjoyment, and so on. . . . . . In other words, get security in place from day one, and hopefully, a little more assurance of technological wellbeing will accompany us all into 2012. Same goes for PC’s, Laptops, and so on. Turn on security, and install with a reputable Anti-Malware solution that will reduce the surface of attack – and apply all the rules as above, and assure these devices are secured to a sensible and appropriate level.

But that’s all the obvious stuff – what about that old Cell Phone, or PC that has fallen from grace. It may be that its destiny will be that of finding fame from its hosting on eBay, or possibly, it may be sold on for some small remuneration. But before sending on, ensure those remnants of personal data, browser history, files, and any possibility of sensitive financial stuff has been removed, overwritten, checked, and rechecked before its goes off to the new unknown owner.

And if you intend to sell on that old Cell Phone, ensure you do the same, and at the very least put the device back to the basic factory reset. But remember this, in the case of some, if not all cell phones, notwithstanding the fact they may have been subject to reset, could still be retaining some interesting nuggets. So just think about it before you drop it into the brown bag.

I, like our readers, am hoping that I will get some new must have, can’t do without toy’s popped under ‘my’ bed by Santa. However you never can be sure you will get the size, configuration, and colour you want. So this year I have edged my bet, and posted my email to the Santa who lives in the Amazon Warehouse – so it’s on his Sleigh.

Anyway, thank you to all our readers, have a great vacation, enjoy, and above all, stay safe & secure – Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
 

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