Protecting your personal information takes a few consistent habits. Follow these tips to keep your accounts, devices, and data secure.

Protect your passwords and accounts

Use strong passwords for every system and device, and change them regularly. Never reuse the same password across your apps, email, and websites.

Secure your home Wi-Fi network. Set a strong password, change the default network name, and enable security protocols like WPA3 or WPA2.

Update the default settings on your hardware and software. Devices often ship with factory-set usernames, passwords, and configurations. Changing these defaults reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

Keep your devices and software secure

Install antivirus software and keep it updated. No antivirus catches everything, but regular scans help you find and remove threats on your system.

Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Download and install security updates as soon as they are available to close known vulnerabilities.

Only download apps from official sources. On your phone or tablet, use the official app store for your operating system, and review the permissions an app requests before installing it.

Back up your important data regularly. This lets you recover your system and information quickly after a system failure or a malware attack.

Secure every device connected to the internet. Set passwords, PIN codes, or other advanced security measures, and disable voice assistants when you don't need them, since they can actively listen to your conversations.

Browse safely and watch out for scams

Browse responsibly. Make sure the websites you visit are official, and type the address directly into your browser when you can. Log out of any work or study sessions once you finish using them.

Stay alert to social engineering attacks. Phishing, vishing, and smishing attempts often increase during times of fear or uncertainty. Confirm that any message, email, or call you receive comes from a trusted, verified source.