Maintaining good cyber hygiene is paramount to safeguarding your personal data, devices, and digital identities from ever-evolving cyber threats. Trevor Cooke, online privacy expert at EarthWeb.com, emphasises the importance of adopting cyber hygiene practices and habits to protect yourself against various cyber risks.
1. Change Your Passwords
- Frequency: Monthly
Creating strong, unique passwords for each online account is crucial in preventing unauthorised access to your sensitive information. Avoid using common phrases, birthdates, or easily guessable combinations. Instead, opt for a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Consider using a reputable password manager to generate and securely store passwords, making it easier to manage and update them regularly.
2. Scan Your Device For Viruses
- Frequency: Weekly
Regularly scanning your device for viruses and malware helps ensure that your system remains free from malicious threats that could compromise your security. Use reliable antivirus software to conduct weekly scans, as it can detect and remove any potential threats lurking on your device. Keep your antivirus software up to date to stay protected against the latest malware strains and cyber threats.
3. Check For Updates
- Frequency: Bi-weekly
Keeping your operating system, applications, and antivirus software up to date is essential for patching security vulnerabilities and protecting against emerging threats. Set aside time every two weeks to check for and install any available updates. Enable automatic updates whenever possible to ensure that your software is always equipped with the latest security patches and enhancements.
4. Backup Your Data
- Frequency: Weekly
Regularly backing up your data is critical for protecting against data loss due to hardware failure, malware attacks or ransomware infections. Create backups of your critical files and documents every week, storing them in secure locations such as cloud storage or external hard drives. Consider using automated backup solutions to streamline the process and ensure that your data is consistently protected.
5. Review App Permissions
- Frequency: Monthly
Periodically reviewing and managing app permissions on your devices helps minimize the risk of unauthorized access to your personal information. Take the time each month to review the permissions granted to mobile apps and revoke any unnecessary access. Limit app permissions to essential functions only and be cautious when granting access to sensitive data such as location or contacts.
6. Check For The Latest Scams
- Frequency: Weekly
Staying informed about the latest cyber threats and scams is essential for protecting yourself against online risks. Dedicate time each week to educate yourself on emerging threats, cybersecurity best practices, and common scam tactics. Follow reputable cybersecurity blogs, subscribe to security newsletters, and stay updated on cybersecurity news to enhance your knowledge and awareness.
7. Empty Your Spam Folder
- Frequency: Bi-weekly
Regularly emptying your email spam folder helps prevent potential phishing attacks and malware infections. Phishing emails often end up in the spam folder, but it’s important to regularly review and delete them to avoid accidentally clicking on malicious links or downloading harmful attachments. Empty your spam folder every two weeks to keep your inbox clean and secure.
8. Clear Out Caches and Browser History
- Frequency: Monthly
Clearing out caches and browser history on your devices helps remove stored data that could be exploited by cybercriminals. This includes cookies, temporary files, and browsing history that may contain sensitive information. Set aside time each month to clear out caches and browser history on your devices, reducing the risk of unauthorised access to your personal data.
Cooke underscores the significance of integrating these cyber hygiene habits into one’s routine. He states, ‘Practicing good cyber hygiene is not just about protecting yourself from known threats, but also staying vigilant against emerging cyber risks. By adopting these habits consistently, individuals can strengthen their defenses and navigate the digital world safely and securely.’
