Over the last half-decade, companies handling our personal data-including the messages we send and the files we upload to the cloud -have realized that encryption can help them as well as their customers. Protecting your communications has never been easier.

Remember: Everything is vulnerable, including your internet-connected chastity belt. Any laptops and computers you own should be high up the list, and then work back through other connected devices in your life. Generally these should be done in order of potential impact. Once you’ve updated your phone, you need to work out what devices to update next. On Android, auto-updates can also be turned on by visiting the settings page in the Google Play Store. For apps and games, Apple’s iOS 13 and above downloads updates automatically, although these settings can be customized. Navigate to your device settings and find out what operating system you’re using, and update it if you’re not on the latest version (iOS 14 is the latest for iPhones Android 11 is the latest from Google). That’s why it’s crucial you download and update the latest versions of the apps and software you’re using. Thankfully, companies are always finding new bugs and fixing them. Every piece of technology you use-from the Facebook app on your phone to the operating system that controls your smart lightbulb-is open to attack.

How do hackers get into computers code