# What Is Cyber Hygiene? 10 Ways to Stay Safe on the Internet October 2, 2023 By [J.R. Tietsort](/content/author/jr-tietsort/index.html) J.R. Tietsort is the CISO at Aura. He's passionate about leveraging technology to create a safer internet for everyone. Cyber hygiene comprises a set of habits, tools, and techniques that can protect you from hackers and scammers. Make these 10 habits a part of your regimen. ## Why Is Cyber Hygiene Important? By practicing good cyber hygiene, you reduce the risk of being ensnared by a scammer. For example, cyber hygiene can help: - Keep your online and banking accounts safe from intruders. - Protect you from financial losses associated with identity theft. - Keep your data, sensitive photos, and videos safe. - Prevent data breaches and business email compromises. - Safeguard your web browsers and Wi-Fi networks from man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. - Prevent or reduce the effectiveness of ransomware. - Protect your devices from hackers and viruses. ### A 10-Point Cyber Hygiene Checklist for Individuals 01. [**Update your passwords to be more secure**](/content/learn/cyber-hygiene#1.-Update-your-passwords-to-be-more-secure-and-unique/index.html) 02. [**Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)**](/content/learn/cyber-hygiene#2.-Enable-two-factor-authentication-(2FA/index.html)-on-all-of-your-accounts) 03. [**Download antivirus software and scan for malware**](/content/learn/cyber-hygiene#3.-Download-antivirus-software,-and-regularly-scan-for-malware/index.html) 04. [**Back up your data at regular intervals**](/content/learn/cyber-hygiene#4.-Back-up-your-data-at-regular-intervals/index.html) 05. [**Enable auto-updates on your software**](/content/learn/cyber-hygiene#5.-Enable-auto-updates-on-your-software-and-operating-systems/index.html) 06. [**Remove personal information from social media**](/content/learn/cyber-hygiene#6.-Remove-your-personal-information-from-social-media/index.html) 07. [**Encrypt your data**](/content/learn/cyber-hygiene#7.-Encrypt-your-data/index.html) 08. [**Secure your home or business Wi-Fi networks**](/content/learn/cyber-hygiene#8.-Secure-your-home-or-business-Wi-Fi-networks-from-hackers/index.html) 09. [**Stay up to date with online threats**](/content/learn/cyber-hygiene#9.-Stay-up-to-date-with-online-threats-(and-know-how-to-spot-a-scammer/index.html)) 10. [**Wipe your devices before donating or recycling them**](/content/learn/cyber-hygiene#10.-Wipe-your-devices-and-hard-drives-before-donating-or-recycling-them/index.html) ### 1. Update your passwords to be more secure and unique Your passwords are often the only thing standing between scammers and your accounts. Using strong, secure, and unique passwords needs to be an essential part of your cyber hygiene routine. **Here’s what to do:** - **Use passwords that combine upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.** The more possible characters in your password, the harder it is to guess. - **Aim for 12-15 characters.** The longer your password is, the harder it is to crack with a brute-force attack. - **Never use personal information.** Avoid using information like names, addresses, and birthdays in your password. - **Never use the same password for two accounts.** ### 2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all of your accounts 2FA adds an additional layer of security by requiring a one-time-use code along with your password. **Here’s what to do:** - **Enable 2FA on all accounts that support it.** - **Choose an authenticator app over SMS.** - **Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for high-risk accounts.** ### 3. Download antivirus software and regularly scan for malware Antivirus software detects and neutralizes malicious software on your devices. **Here’s what to do:** - **Ensure your native security software is enabled.** - **Install a third-party antivirus.** - **Scan for malware regularly.** ### 4. Back up your data at regular intervals Data backups ensure that you can always restore files in the event of data loss after a security issue. **Here’s what to do:** - **Set a backup schedule.** - **Always back up data to a separate location.** - **Use cloud storage or backup services.** ### 5. Enable auto-updates on your software and operating system Keeping your devices and software updated means that you’ll always have the latest security patches to protect you against new cyber threats. **Here’s what to do:** - **Enable automatic software updates.** - **Let apps notify you of updates.** ### 6. Remove your personal information from social media The more information a malicious actor has, the easier it is to impersonate you or design phishing attacks. **Here’s what to do:** - **Update your privacy settings.** - **Delete all identifiable information from your public social media accounts.** - **Turn off location services.** ### 7. Encrypt your data Data encryption protects your data by encoding it with complicated algorithms. **Here’s what to do:** - **Encrypt devices that contain sensitive data.** - **Use an encrypted file sharing solution.** ### 8. Secure your home or business Wi-Fi networks from hackers If hackers bypass your network security, they can easily steal your data. **Here’s what to do:** - **Use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your Wi-Fi network.** - **Use Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) encryption.** - **Change your Wi-Fi passwords regularly.** ### 9. Stay up to date with online threats (and know how to spot a scammer) Failing to stay up to date with cyber security threats puts you at risk. **Here’s what to do:** - **Regularly check for data leaks and security breaches.** - **Learn the signs of phishing attacks.** ### 10. Wipe your devices and hard drives before donating or recycling them To securely wipe your hard disk drives (HDDs), use drive eraser software. **Here’s what to do:** - **Securely wipe your hard drives.** - **Factory reset your smartphones.** ## Cyber Hygiene is Paramount. Aura Can Help A secure cyber hygiene routine can seem like a lot of work. But without maintaining daily digital security, you put yourself, your family, and your business at risk of identity theft, fraud, and hacking.