thesmallobject.com » Cybersecurity Essentials for Everyone

Just like a home alarm system, good cybersecurity practices protect your digital life from cybercriminals.

The internet may seem safe, but in reality, many villains want access to your digital devices for financial gain, or simply to cause havoc.

To keep them away, use strong passwords - one for each account you want to protect. Choose random strings of letters, numbers, and symbols for your passwords, and keep them in encrypted digital vaults using a reputable password manager, such as 1Password.

Turn on two-factor authentication, aka 2FA. Install Google Authenticator on your phone and then set it up for each account you really care about.

Then, whenever you want to access your online banking account, for example, you will need to provide a 6-digit code generated by Google Authenticator. This way, even if hackers manage to steal your passwords, they won’t be able to access the 2FA-protected accounts.

Never use pirated software. Keep all your applications updated. Don’t install apps on your phone just because they’re free! Most software developers need money to pay their bills, and unscrupulous individuals may embed malware in their seemingly free applications.

Finally, don’t click on links and don’t open attachments in emails you didn’t expect to receive. If something seems fishy, it probably is.