Day 10

Set Up Encryption, Lock Screens, Find My Device, and Auto Updates

 
 
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DAY 10: Set Up Encryption, Lock Screens, Find My Device, and Auto Updates

You’ve already locked down your network, passwords, and accounts… now it’s time to secure the actual devices you use every single day.

Today we’re covering four simple but powerful steps:

Encryption, Lock Screens, Find My Device, and Automatic Updates.

Because honestly, what’s the point of great passwords if someone can just grab your laptop or phone and walk off with everything?

Don’t worry, this one’s easy, and it’s all built right into your phone and computer.

What’s up S’mores! I’m Shannon Morse, and welcome back to Day 10 of the 30-Day Security Challenge, where we make your tech smart, secure, and stress-free. Every day, we’re breaking down one concept of online security and privacy to make the process less stressful, and to keep you from burning out.

If you’re following along, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next video. You can grab the full 30-Day Challenge checklist and notes over at ShannonRMorse.com, completely free.

Why It Matters

Physical access equals total access.

Whether you accidentally leave your laptop in a café, your phone gets stolen, or your luggage goes missing on a trip, encryption and recovery tools are your best insurance policy aside from backups.

Plus, auto-updates keep you safe from zero-day exploits, and lock screens stop nosy people from snooping.

We all know that you should never, EVER leave your devices unattended. Because it could get pwned in seconds. But in the event that you aren’t thinking about it and accidentally leave your laptop unlocked on a table, you walk away from your desk at work and your desktop is wide open, or you leave your phone in a public bathroom, you want to make sure that device is protected. Even the most secure user can sometimes make a mistake. I myself left my phone in a public bathroom before.

Step 1: Lock Your Screen (Seriously, Please Do This)

If your phone or laptop gets lost or stolen, your lock screen is your first line of defense.

If your lock screen is still “swipe to unlock,” I love you, but no.

You can use a PIN, password, fingerprint, or facial recognition, whatever works for you. Biometrics are going to be more secure than a pin, passcode, or swipe, but if you have any reason to believe your device could be seized by law enforcement, they can compel you to give up your biometrics to unlock a device, but they cannot compel you to give up your PIN due to self incrimination laws.

While some agencies have access to devices that can bypass lock screens, these are generally going to be your best line of defense against your everyday criminals.

On Android:

  • Go to Settings → Security & Privacy → Device Unlock

  • Choose PIN, Pattern, or Password (PINs are usually best)

  • Turn off “Smart Lock” if it auto-unlocks on trusted WiFi or locations - that’s convenient but risky

On iPhone or iPad:

  • Go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode)

  • Tap Turn Passcode On and set a six-digit code

  • Bonus: set Require Passcode → Immediately

This may vary slightly depending on your current mobile operating system.

On Mac:

  • Go to System Settings → Touch ID & Password → Require password after sleep or screen saver

On Windows 11:

  • Go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in Options

  • Choose Windows Hello PIN or Fingerprint and set lock timeouts

Pro Tip: Don’t use a simple 4-digit code like 1234 or your birthday. Attackers try those first, especially if you are targeted in a cyberattack.

Step 2: Turn On Encryption

Without going super nerdy about encryption protocols, standards, and quantum computing, TLDR encryption scrambles your data so no one can read it without your passcode, even if they physically steal your phone or drive.

Modern iPhones and iPads are already encrypted when you set up a passcode. Boom. Done.

Android 11+ devices are encrypted by default too, but double-check under Settings → Security → Encryption & Credentials.

Mac (FileVault):

  • Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → FileVault → Turn On

  • Save your recovery key somewhere offline like your password notebook or fireproof safe

Windows 11 (BitLocker):

  • Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Device Encryption → Turn On

  • Save your BitLocker recovery key to your Microsoft account or print it out

  • If you don’t have access to Window’s built in encryption, you can also download a third party app like VeraCrypt to do it manually. It’s open-source, free, and great for encrypting drives and USBs.

And remember: encryption takes a while to run the first time, so maybe start it before bed — let it work while you sleep.

Step 3: Turn On “Find My Device”

Accidents happen. Phones fall out of pockets, laptops get left in coffee shops. One time, my friend left his backpack with his laptop in a locked vehicle just a few steps away from the front door of a coffee shop, he ran inside to grab his mobile order coffee, and within less than a minute, a thief did a smash and grab and stole his backpack. It happens.

Both Apple and Google have built-in tools to help you locate, lock, or even erase your device remotely.

Apple Devices:

  • Go to Settings → Your Name → Find My → Find My iPhone (or Mac)

  • Turn on Find My Network and Send Last Location

Android Devices:

  • Go to Settings → Security & Privacy → Find My Device → On

Windows & Mac:

  • Windows: Settings → Privacy & Security → Find My Device → Turn On

  • macOS already uses iCloud’s Find My system

Then, test it! Grab another device, and go to iCloud.com/find or android.com/find, ring your device, and make sure it shows up where you expect.

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So if you’re following along with the challenge, hit that subscribe button and turn on notifications so you don’t miss tomorrow’s video. You can grab the full checklist and daily recap at ShannonRMorse.com.

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As usual, all the videos on my channel are free to watch, and I thank my youtube members and patrons for making that possible.

Step 4: Turn On Automatic Updates

Security patches protect you from exploits that hackers love to automate. Updates might seem annoying, but those “bug fixes and performance improvements” are really “we stopped hackers from wrecking your week.”

On iPhone/iPad:

  • Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates → On

On Android:

  • Settings → System → System Update → Auto Download → On

On Mac:

  • System Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates → On

On Windows:

  • Settings → Windows Update → Get the Latest Updates → On

Pro tip: keep your apps updated too , not just your OS. Old app versions are an easy attack target. Go into your App Store or Play Store settings and enable auto-updates for apps too.

Step 5: Lock Screens & Encryption for Computers

Your computer deserves love too.

For Mac, set your screen to lock automatically under System Settings → Lock Screen → Require Password After Sleep.

For Windows, go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in Options, and set a password or PIN.

If you have a newer operating system or device, you can use Windows Hello biometrics & macOS Touch ID/Secure Enclave.

Locking your computer every time you step away - even for a minute - keeps prying eyes out. (I know, I know. But trust me, it’s worth the habit.)

Nowadays, you can even set up your computer to autolock whenever you leave your desk or after a period of inactivity. This can be super convenient, but this method is based on the location of your phone - when your phone gets up from your desk and goes out of Bluetooth range, for example, the computer will lock itself. I don’t depend on this, I manually lock every time I leave my desk. Pro tip: If you’re on windows, you can hold down Windows Key + L to easily lock your desktop or laptop.

2025 Update: Modern Privacy Tips

  • Stolen-device protection (now in iOS 18 and Android 15) requires your biometrics or PIN to turn off Find My or reset your phone - turn it on if available.

  • Advanced Data Protection for iCloud adds end-to-end encryption for backups. Turn that on under iCloud settings.

  • Firmware updates now exist for smartwatches and earbuds too. Update those periodically; they store personal data.

Congrats! You’ve officially leveled up your personal device security.

Now if your phone or laptop ever goes missing, your data will be encrypted, your location will be traceable, and your apps will stay patched.

That’s a huge win.

And that’s it for Day 10!

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC - and why turning them off when you don’t need them can save both your battery and your privacy.

Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it, and grab your 30-Day Security Challenge checklist at ShannonMorse.com.

I’m Shannon Morse - stay smart, stay secure, and I’ll see ya tomorrow, S’mores!

Continue to day 11