Over the last few days, I have been posting on some topics that I have been thinking about lately, topics that are big deals for people like Hospitals, Amazon, Google, and Facebook to name a few. But how can we, the little guys, take these things and incorporate them into our daily lives? So to continue with that, if you have been following along……
What is Zero Trust and how we can use it in our everyday lives.
In the world of cybersecurity, Zero Trust is a term that has gained significant attention in recent years. Zero Trust is a security model that is designed to prevent unauthorized access to systems and data. It operates on the principle that no one should be trusted by default, whether inside or outside the network perimeter. Instead, all access attempts must be authenticated, authorized, and continuously verified before granting access to any resources.
While Zero Trust was initially designed for enterprise environments, it can also be applied to our everyday lives to ensure that our personal data and devices are secured. With the rise of cyber threats such as identity theft, hacking, and data breaches, it is essential to take measures to protect ourselves and our data. Did you know that with the right tools and software, someone can hack into your home network and access all your devices while they are simply parked across the street? Kind of scary don’t you think?
Here are some ways in which we can apply the Zero Trust model in our everyday lives:
1. Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: One of the most critical components of the Zero Trust model is continuous authentication. This means that users must be authenticated every time they attempt to access a resource. To apply this in our everyday lives, we should use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible. Multi-factor authentication involves using a combination of something you know (e.g., a password or passphrase) and something you have (e.g., a security token or biometric authentication like fingerprints or facial recognition from your smartphone).
2. Be cautious with emails and links: Phishing attacks are a common form of cyber threat that attempts to trick users into giving up their personal information. To prevent falling victim to these attacks, we should be cautious when opening emails and clicking on links. Verify the sender’s email address and check for any spelling or grammatical errors in the message. Also, avoid clicking on links in emails and instead, navigate to the website directly by typing the URL into your browser.
3. Keep your devices updated: One of the essential principles of the Zero Trust model is that all resources must be accessed in a secure manner. To ensure that our devices are secure, we should keep them updated with the latest security patches and software updates. These updates often contain critical security fixes that address known vulnerabilities. FYI for Windows users, the updates come out every Tuesday!! Linux has updates all the time and it is recommended to run “apt update” from a Terminal at least weekly or use a BASH script to make this happen automatically.
4. Use a VPN: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide an extra layer of security when accessing the internet. VPNs encrypt all traffic between your device and the internet, making it more challenging for cyber criminals to intercept and steal your data. There are a lot of options out there just look at this article by Bleeping Computer https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/vpn/guides/best-vpn/
5. Be cautious with public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks can be convenient, but they are often unsecured and, therefore, vulnerable to cyber threats. To protect your data when using public Wi-Fi, use a VPN, avoid accessing sensitive information or conducting financial transactions, and ensure that your device’s firewall is enabled. This might be a good topic for a later write-up as I’m sure we have all used the Free WiFi from Starbucks, Mcdonald’s, Hotels, etc.
Zero Trust is a security model that can be applied to our everyday lives to ensure that our personal data and devices are secured. By using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, being cautious with emails and links, keeping devices updated, using a VPN, and being cautious with public Wi-Fi, we can reduce the risk of falling victim to cyber threats. Applying the principles of Zero Trust can help us stay protected in the ever-evolving threat landscape of cybersecurity.