Control access to your devices

To prevent unauthorised access to our homes and offices, we use burglar-proof doors and locks. It’s therefore also worth securing our devices against unwanted access, as physical access to a device is a common cause of data compromise. To minimise the possibility of such an incident, follow these brief tips:

• The basic way is to use strong and unique passwords. Take a look here to read more about good practices when creating passwords.
• Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible. Then, even if your passwords are leaked, cybercriminals won't be able to log into your accounts because they won't have the other component (in most cases, your smartphone). In this article, we explain how to go about it for the Allegro website.
• Most of today's devices already have tools that allow login via biometrics, i.e. a fingerprint or facial scan. These are security features that are much harder to break than a 4-digit PIN or a simple password, plus they are also much more convenient. It’s therefore worth considering using them (although, of course, this does not relieve you of the need to secure your account with a password).
• Remember to log off or at least lock your device if you walk away from it. Leaving your computer unlocked even for a coffee break is the perfect opportunity for a criminal to steal your data. If you happen to forget to do it, turn on the auto screen lock on both your computer and smartphone.
• Try not to leave your devices unattended. It sometimes only takes a few seconds to upload malware from external media. For the same reason, never connect drives or flash memory sticks of unknown origin! Planting data media in car parks and the corridors of public places is a common practice for criminals!
• Don’t share your devices with anyone who isn’t authorised to access them. This principle applies equally to private and business equipment. If you don't know what the person's intentions are for your computer/smartphone, just say “no” to them.