Not every security check needs to start with a lengthy audit. Sometimes five minutes is enough to spot an update that has been postponed for weeks, disabled protection, or an application no one recognizes. Work through these seven simple checks and see whether everything on your company computers looks as it should.
1. How many updates are still waiting until later?
It is easy to dismiss an update notification without thinking, especially when it appears during a meeting or while you are working on an important document. After this happens a few times, however, the computer may go without essential fixes for much longer than it should.
If you have been postponing an update for days or even weeks, take a moment to see exactly what is waiting to be installed. In Windows, open Start → Settings → Windows Update. On a Mac, go to System Settings → General → Software Update. The system will show whether new software versions are available. While you're at it, it's also worth taking a look at the browser and programs you use every day.
You do not have to stop working immediately. You can schedule the updates for the end of the day. The important thing is not to click “remind me later” out of habit yet again.
2. Is the security software actually working?
Security software usually runs in the background, so it is easy to forget that it is installed at all. It is worth opening its dashboard from time to time and checking for warnings. A disabled protection module or an update error should not remain unnoticed until it causes trouble. Everything may appear to be fine until the first attack.
When a company has a handful, dozens, or even hundreds of computers, checking every device manually quickly becomes impractical. That is why businesses often use centrally managed solutions such as Bitdefender GravityZone. This allows the IT team to monitor device status and detected issues from a single dashboard. It does not mean employees should ignore unusual notifications. If something looks different from normal, report it straight away.
3. Do you lock the screen when you leave your desk?
A phone call, a coffee, or a quick question for someone in another room. You step away from your desk “for just a moment”, leaving the computer open along with your email, documents, and company systems.
It may seem harmless because you are in the office and surrounded by colleagues. Not everyone, however, should have access to customer data, financial documents, contracts, or another person’s correspondence. Visitors, couriers, service technicians, and employees of external companies may also be present during the day. This is not about distrusting your team. It is a simple rule: company data should only be accessible to people who genuinely need it.
The best approach is to make locking the screen a habit. On Windows, use Windows + L, and on macOS use Control + Command + Q. However, anyone can forget about this from time to time. That's why it's also a good idea to set the screen to lock automatically after a few minutes of inactivity. Once this is set up, make sure it works. Leave the computer for a few minutes and check whether it asks for a password, PIN, or biometric authentication when you return. This simple safeguard is useful not only in the office, but also in a hotel, on a train, or in a coworking space.
4. Are there any suspicious extensions in your browser?
Perhaps you once needed an extension to convert a document, download a video, or check a discount code. The job is done, but the extension is still running and has access to your browser. That is not necessarily a good thing.
Open the list of browser extensions and make sure you recognize every item. Remove anything you installed yourself but no longer need. If you find an extension you do not remember, report it to IT. It may have been added by the company, installed alongside another application, or introduced after an accidental click. An administrator can check whether it is safe and whether it should be removed.
Take this check seriously. Some extensions can read the contents of pages you visit, your browsing history, and even data entered into forms.
5. Is there an application on the computer that you do not recognize?
Review the list of installed applications, preferably starting with the most recently added. Pay particular attention to remote access software and tools with names that nobody recognizes.
This does not mean that every unfamiliar application is malicious. It may have been installed by an administrator or may be required by another program. Do not remove it on your own. Write down its name, take a screenshot, and ask the person responsible.
While you are checking, open the Downloads folder as well. It often contains old installers, copies of contracts, spreadsheets with customer data, and other files that should have been archived or deleted long ago.
6. Are important files backed up?
The worst time to discover that a backup is not working is when you need to recover an important document. Open the company drive or the application responsible for protecting your data. Check whether recent changes have been saved and look for warnings about an error, insufficient storage, or the need to sign in again.
Not sure whether your company creates backups of important files at all? Ask the person responsible for IT. You may discover that the data is not protected and that the problem needs urgent attention.
7. Are you sure you are the only person with access to your accounts?
Finally, open the security settings for your email and other company services. Check that two-factor authentication is enabled and that your recovery phone number and email address are up to date.
Review the list of devices signed in to your accounts as well. You may unexpectedly find an old phone, a personal computer used at home once, or a session you do not recognize at all.
If anything looks suspicious, do not simply close the browser tab. Sign out other sessions in accordance with your company’s procedures, change your password, and report the situation to IT.
Five minutes can uncover a problem that has lasted for weeks
A quick check like this cannot replace a security audit or reveal every weak point. It can, however, uncover problems that have posed a risk for some time but have not yet received attention.
If you find disabled protection, paused synchronization, or anything you do not recognize, show it to the person responsible for IT. It is better to investigate one warning too many than to deal with the consequences of an attack several weeks later.
