June is National Men’s Health Month!

By Chetrice Mosley-Romero

When it comes to improving our overall health, it seems as though there’s always lots of great information out there for improving your diet and, maybe, exercising a little more. At times, it can be overwhelming and it’s not always easy to know where (or how) to get started.

June is National Men’s Health Month; the perfect time (right?) to change it up a little bit and feel as though you’re starting to make some progress. And, as you do, it’s a good idea to also think about improving your personal cyber health and well-beingMore than ever, IoT (internet of Things) devices connect to us to every part of our daily routines. The same is true for the equipment we use to get in shape – everything from bicycle machines (with access to virtual workouts using a camera and microphone) to wearable fitness trackers, even treadmills.

How popular are these devices? Consider a recent study revealed that 18 percent of men use a smart watch or a fitness tracker. Add to that, there are all kinds of data – about you – that can be tracked through these devices. To be sure, it’s a great way to measure how you’re doing, but you’ll want to follow a few easy tips for staying safe online before starting your workout, including:

• Creating a guest network for your critical devices
• Updating the software on a regular basis and making sure it is password protected
• Researching the security of any devices before making your purchase
• Disabling any unnecessary features, keeping those that maximize your workout while taking away anything that poses a risk

Now that you’ve got a great reason to get out there and feel better about your health and your cyber fitness, have fun with it!