7 Steps to Improve Your Cyber Hygiene and Stay Safe Online

Cyber hygiene means the care you give to your online presence. This includes keeping your devices and information clean and safe. Washing your hands prevents germs, and good cyber behavior prevents digital germs like viruses and hackers. It’s like brushing your teeth but for your online life. Here are some easy ways to stay safe online in 2025.

1. Improve Your Passwords

Passwords are like keys to your online home. You want them to be strong. Here are some tips:

• Use Long Passwords: Longer passwords are harder to guess. Try using a sentence. For example, “I love eating pizza on Fridays!” is a good password.
• Mix it Up: Use different types of characters. Mix in numbers, symbols, and both big and small letters. “I<3EatingPizza0nFridays!” is even better.
• Don’t Reuse Passwords: Use a unique password for each account. If someone steals one, the others stay safe.

 2.Update Your Software

Updating your software is like getting a flu shot. It protects you from new threats. When you make necessary updates, you not only fix problems and close holes that bad guys use to get in, but you also typically get new system and app features.

We recommend setting up automatic software updates so that you don’t have to remember to make them manually as they arise.

3. Use Two-Factor or Multifactor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) needs two things to prove it’s you. Usually, one is your password. The second might be a code sent to your phone or your fingerprint. 2FA is important because if someone steals your password, it prevents cybercriminals from getting in because they do not have a second validation point. We recommend using 2FA or multifactor authentication on all your important accounts. These include email, banking, and even social media.

4. Take Caution When Using Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi can be very dangerous. It’s like yelling in a crowded place. Anyone could listen. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Using a VPN: A VPN is like a secret tunnel to the internet. It keeps your information private, even on public Wi-Fi.
• Avoid Sensitive Tasks: Don’t do banking or shopping on public Wi-Fi. Wait until you’re on a safe network.
• Turn Off Auto-Connect: Don’t let your device connect to any Wi-Fi network by itself. It might connect to a fake, bad network.

5. Learn How to Identify Phishing Scams

Phishing is when a bad guy tries to trick you into giving away your information. It’s like a fake fisherman trying to catch you. Here’s how to avoid the hook:

• Check the Sender: Look closely at who sent the message. Scammers often use names that look real but aren’t.
• Don’t Click Suspicious Links: If a link looks weird, don’t click it. Move your mouse over it to see where it really goes.
• Be Wary of Urgent Messages: Scammers often say you need to act fast. Real companies rarely do this.

6. Back Up Your Data

Backing up is like making copies of your important papers. If something bad happens, you don’t lose everything. The best practice is to use the 3-2-1 rule. Keep three copies of your data on two different types of storage, with one copy off-site. If you back up your data correctly, it can help protect you from the negative impacts of ransomware and other accidents, as your data is safely stored in a place where you can easily recover it.

7. Review Your Privacy Settings

We recommend reviewing your privacy settings every few months. This includes old accounts. If you’re not using something, the account should be closed. Also, limit what you share to only those who need the information. The less you share, the safer you are.

Want to Level Up Your Cyber Hygiene?

Good cyber hygiene protects you and your organization from online bad guys. Use strong passwords, update your software, and be careful on public Wi-Fi. Watch out for phishing scams. Always back up your data. Check your privacy settings.

Want to know more about staying safe online? Yeo & Yeo Technology can help. Contact us for more cybersecurity tips. Let’s make your online life easier and safer together!

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.