Thanks to the internet, you can manage just about every aspect of your life directly from your smartphone. But it’s important to protect your data from a variety of security threats, including fraud, hackers and phishing scams. Cyber hygiene is one important way to stay safe both online and offline.
What is cyber hygiene?
Maintaining the health of your digital devices and following best practices to improve your online safety and security can help keep you secure against security breaches and the latest cyber scams. You can think of cyber hygiene like brushing your teeth to prevent cavities or washing your hands to stop the spread of germs.
Why is cyber hygiene important?
The convenience of the internet allows you to shop, bank and socialize from wherever you are. But it’s not without risks. Proper cyber hygiene allows you to protect sensitive data, like your bank account, identity, photos, personal health information and more.
You can think of a cyber hygiene like brushing your teeth to prevent cavities or washing your hands to stop the spread of germs.
Cyber hygiene best practices
So how do you create and implement an effective cyber hygiene routine? The best methods include these online safeguards and offline actions:
1. Use password protection
You probably already know you should make your password hard to guess. To add another level of safety, don’t use the same passwords across multiple sites or platforms. That way if hackers get into one of your accounts, they won’t easily be able to get access to others. Never share your passwords with others. You never know if your friends and family are as diligent about their cyber hygiene as you are.
2. Consider passkeys
To go one step further, use passkeys whenever possible. This passwordless authentication technology lets you log in by entering a PIN or using biometric authentication, like facial or fingerprint recognition. Passkeys are only stored on your device, helping to make them less vulnerable to cybercriminals.
3. Always have a backup
Your data is only as good as its storage method. If you lose your device or it’s otherwise compromised, your data could be gone with it. To prevent this scenario, back up your data on the cloud. Ideally, encrypt your most sensitive data for more secure file storage.
4. Stay up to date
You may be tempted to ignore a software update prompt on your device, but doing so is a mistake. That’s because software updates typically include improved security. To make it easier to keep your device updated, enable automatic updates. Added bonus: An update may improve your device’s performance.
5. Use AI responsibly
The age of AI opens up new possibilities – but also new threats – when using the internet. To utilize this technology while remaining secure, don’t tell AI anything that could end up in the wrong hands, and stay up to date on shifts in the tech and how it may affect security.
6. Clean your hard drives
When you upgrade your device and sell or otherwise dispose of your phone, laptop or tablet, make sure your data has been removed. Scrubbing your hard drive prevents your info from landing in the wrong hands.
7. Don’t leave your device unattended
Your smartphone contains a lot of sensitive information, so never leave it unattended — whether in your car, on a coffee shop table while you use the bathroom, charging at the gate at the airport while you grab lunch or anywhere else someone could take it.
Get in the habit of cyber hygiene
With the world at your fingertips, it can be easy to unintentionally put yourself in harm's way. By practicing cyber hygiene, you’re working to keep yourself safe and secure against online threats.
