IT's a family affair

How many Internet-connected devices are in your house right now? Many San Diego households are probably hosting up to 10 devices that are connected, or capable of connecting, to the Internet. If you think that’s an exaggeration, look around. Make sure you count all the tablets and smartphones. What about the router and wireless access point, the Wi-Fi-enabled DVD player and streaming media devices like Roku or Chromecast? Those networked computing devices quickly add up.

And the job of protecting all of those machines, the data they contain and the accounts they access? These days we can truly say, IT’s a family affair. We’re talking IT as in information technology. A lot of parents now find themselves in the role of IT manager and system administrator. If you’re in that role but don’t have a background in the subject, here’s some advice to help save the day, and your family’s data.

Understand the risks

Knowing that digital technology comes with risks is the first step towards mastering the role of family IT manager.

Consider webcams. They’re great for Skyping with friends, but consider what happened to last year’s Miss Teen USA. Cassidy Wolf was hit by a sextortion scammer threatening to post embarrassing photos of her online unless she gave him more nude pictures. How did this creep get the original images? He used software called Blackshades that can turn a webcam on without the owner knowing it.

Unfortunately, Blackshades is only one of many such tools, and there are other categories of malicious software that creeps and criminals use to perpetrate a variety of scams. Fortunately, there are sound technologies and techniques that can be used to prevent bad people getting to your data, allowing you to safely enjoy technology.

Backup your data

The ultimate defensive technology is one that keeps your data intact even if your devices are infiltrated. We’re talking about backup. If you routinely copy all your digital stuff and store the copies separately from the devices themselves, you may save the day even in a worst-case scenario (someone steals dad’s laptop, mom’s tablet, or junior’s smartphone). Here are two ways you can backup your data:

1. Use a cloud based service such as iCloud (Mac), SkyDrive (PC) or Google Drive (either platform). These services store your data online, giving you easy access from any Internet-connected device.

2. Also, consider a non-cloud backup such as an external USB hard drive; this will give you access to your data without requiring an Internet connection.

TIP: Remember to disconnect your USB hard drive when it is not backing up; otherwise, someone who gets into your computer from the Internet could possibly damage or infect your backups.

TIP: Consider using two backup drives per computer. Store one at a separate location, such as a locked desk at work.

Secure your devices

Three forms of security enabled by software will, when used appropriately, go a long way towards making your data safer: authentication, antimalware software, and encryption.

1. Authentication. What is it? Asking people to prove who they are so you can block access by unauthorized persons. Just about every digital device and software service has at least one level of authentication, usually a password. Your job as a domestic IT manager is to:

• Ensure everyone in the family knows how to choose a good password. Finds tips on creating strong passwords at

• Change the default password on devices like the wireless router.

• Encourage family members to turn on two-factor authentication when available. When enabled this feature prompts you for a one-time passcode that is texted to your smartphone.

2. Antimalware software. The modern version of antivirus software, provides several levels of protection against threats like Blackshades, and against phishing emails that try to trick you into giving up your password and personal information. A good antimalware suite can keep family members from visiting fake or infected websites and should offer Internet filtering to prevent your kids from visiting whole categories of undesirable websites.

3. Encryption. This is the secret sauce behind most serious data defense strategies, you use it every time you shop online at a website like Amazon, where the web address starts with “https.” But you can also encrypt data on laptops and your home desktop. Full disk encryption is included in Mac OS X (File Vault) and some versions of Windows 7 and 8 (BitLocker). The free TrueCrypt software also works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Keep hard copy records

Finally, you might be surprised to hear that good old-fashioned paper can be a great help in times of cyber crisis. Paper requires no electricity or Internet connection and you should use it to record all of the serial numbers of your family’s computers, phones, tablets, and sundry other digital devices, plus the purchase date, warranty period, and telephone support number. Having this vital data to help you could save the day if you have to recover from a family IT incident.

Explore more ways to protect your family at

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