New vulnerabilities in the code that runs your devices and apps are found every day. The developers who write that code cannot predict where they will be found, because the code is so complex. Malicious attackers may exploit these vulnerabilities to get into your devices.

But software developers do regularly release code that fixes those vulnerabilities. That is why it is very important to install updates and use the latest version of the operating system for each device you use. We recommend setting your device to automatically update so you have one less task to remember to do.

Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have official app stores. Having apps in one place makes it easy for you to find and install the ones you want, and it also makes it easier for these companies to monitor apps for major security violations.

Only install apps from app stores or from the websites of the developers themselves. "Mirror" download sites may be untrustworthy, unless you know and trust the people who provide those services. If you decide that the benefit of a particular app outweighs the risk, take additional steps to protect yourself, like planning to keep sensitive or personal information off that device.

Learn why Security in a Box trusts the apps it recommends.

New vulnerabilities in the code that runs your devices and apps are found every day. The developers who write that code cannot predict where they will be found, because the code is so complex. Malicious attackers may exploit these vulnerabilities to get into your devices. Removing apps you do not use helps limit the number of apps that might be vulnerable. Apps you do not use may also transmit information about you that you may not want to share with others, like your location. If you cannot remove apps, you may at least be able to disable them.

Apps that access sensitive digital details or services--like your location, microphone, camera, or device settings--can also leak that information or be exploited by attackers. So if you do not need an app to use a particular service, turn that permission off.

Many of our devices keep track of where we are, using GPS, cell phone towers, or wifi we use. If your device is keeping a record of your physical location, it makes it possible that someone could find you, or could use that record to demonstrate you have gone to particular places or associated with specific people.

We strongly recommend not sharing devices you use for sensitive work with anyone else. However, if you must share your devices with co-workers or family, you can better protect sensitive information by setting up separate accounts on your devices in order to keep your sensitive files protected from other people.

Most devices have accounts associated with them, like Google accounts for your Android phone, your Chrome laptop, and Google TV, or Apple accounts for your iPad, Apple watch, Mac laptop, and Apple TV. More than one device may be logged in at a time (like your phone, laptop, and maybe your TV). If someone else has access to your account who shouldn't, this is one place you might see and be able to stop that.

When you don't intend for someone else to access your device, it is better to not leave that additional "door" open on your machine (this is called "reducing your attack surface.") Additionally, checking what accounts are set up on your device could reveal accounts that have been put on your device without your knowledge.

While it may seem like technical attacks are your biggest concern, it is much more likely that your device will be confiscated or stolen and someone will break into it. For this reason, it is smart to set a passphrase screen lock, so that nobody can access your device just by turning it on.

We do not recommend screen lock options other than passphrases. You might easily be forced to unlock your device with your face, voice, eyes, or fingerprint if you are arrested, detained, or searched. Someone who has your device in their possession may use software to guess short passwords or PINs. It is also possible to guess "pattern" locks by looking at finger tracks on the screen. Someone who has dusted for your fingerprints can make a fake version of your finger to unlock your device if you set a fingerprint lock; similar hacks have been demonstrated for face unlock.

For these reasons, the safest lock to set is a long passphrase.

A strong screen lock will give you some protection if your device is stolen or seized--but if you don't turn off notifications that show up on your lock screen, whoever has your device can see information that might leak when your contacts send you messages or you get new email.

When a device is set up so you can speak to it to control it--for example, Siri, Cortana, Google Voice, Echo, or Alexa systems--it is constantly listening while it is on. It may even record what is happening and send it back to companies like Amazon or Microsoft for quality control, and their contractors save and review those recordings. It is also possible someone else could install code on your device that could capture what your device is listening to.

If you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to type or use other manual controls, you may find voice controls necessary. See below for instructions on how to set them up more safely. However, if you do not use voice controls for this reason, it is much safer to turn them off.

While we often think of attacks on our digital security as highly technical, you might be surprised to learn that some human rights defenders have had their information stolen or their accounts compromised when someone looked over their shoulder at their screen, or used a security camera to do so. A privacy filter makes it less likely someone doing this will succeed. You should be able to find this wherever you find device accessories.

Some malicious software will turn on the camera on your device in order to see you, the people around you, or where you are without you knowing it.

WiFi is a data connection that lets our devices reach other devices on the internet, using radio waves to connect to a router which usually has a wired connection to the broader internet. Cell phone connections also help us access other computers and phones around the world, via a cellular network of towers and repeaters. NFC and Bluetooth connect our devices to other devices near them, also using radio waves. All these connections are vital to communicating with others. But because our devices are connecting to other devices, there is a chance that someone will use this connection maliciously to get to our devices and sensitive information.

For this reason, it is a good idea to turn off these connections when you are not using them, particularly wifi and Bluetooth. This limits the time an attacker might have to access your valuables without you noticing that something strange is happening on your device (like it running slowly or overheating when you are not using it heavily).

When you turn your device's wifi connectivity on, it tries to look for any wifi network it remembers you have connected to before. Essentially, it "shouts" the names of every network on its list to see if they are available to connect to. Someone snooping nearby can use this "shout" to identify your device, because your list is usually unique: you have probably at least connected to your home network and your office network, not to mention networks at friends' houses, favorite cafes, etcetera. This fingerprint-like identification makes it easy for someone snooping in your area to target your device or identify where you have been.

To protect yourself from this identification, erase wifi networks your device has saved and tell your device not to remember networks. This will make it harder to connect quickly, but saving that information in your password manager instead will keep it available to you when you need it.

Many devices give us the option to easily share files or services with others around us--a useful feature. However, if this feature is left on when we are not using it, malicious people may exploit it to get at files on your device.

Firewalls help us protect our devices in situations where a piece of software starts listening to information we weren't expecting it to. Where a door gets left open, in other words, either by accident or by a malicious person within the building. Firewalls that monitor outgoing connections are sometimes able to let us know when malicious software is trying to steal data or "phone home" for instructions. If you install a firewall that is specifically designed to limit outgoing connections, or if you configure your built-in firewall to work this way, you should be prepared to spend some time "training" it so that it only alerts you when it observes something unusual.

It may not always be obvious when someone has accessed your devices, files, or communications. These additional checklists may give you more insight into whether your devices have been tampered with.