By Zak Doffman
Publication Date: 2025-12-09 09:54:00
Make sure your PC is safe.
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
America’s cyber defense agency has plenty of sound advice this holiday season. Much of this focuses on securing your phones and avoiding the fake shopping websites that will see you get stung. But there’s also some timely advice for Windows PC users.
Whether at home or at work, “before you dash out the door for your holiday” or pack your bags and head out of town, “lock up your data like you lock up the office.”
CISA tells all users to make sure they have a recent data backup — don’t leave your data at risk in the event something happens to your devices. But just as critically, if you’re leaving your PC for some time, “log out” and “shut down.”
Shutting down your PC each day is painful, Microsoft restarts are still not what they should be. But if you’re away for a few days or more, you should do it. It provides…