How to Stay Safe Online: 7 Essential Privacy Tips

Your digital life faces constant threats from hackers, scammers, and data thieves who want to steal your personal information. Whether you’re shopping online, scrolling social media, or working remotely, staying safe online requires the right knowledge and tools to protect yourself.

This guide is for everyday internet users who want practical, actionable steps to boost their digital security without becoming tech experts. You’ll learn how to create unbreakable passwords that hackers cannot crack, master your social media privacy settings like a pro, and build smart digital habits for long-term safety.

These seven essential privacy tips will help you browse confidently while keeping your personal data, financial information, and digital identity secure from online threats.

Create Unbreakable Passwords That Hackers Cannot Crack

Use Complex Character Combinations with Numbers and Symbols

Creating truly secure passwords means combining uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols in unpredictable ways. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long, though 16 or more characters provide even better protection. Instead of using predictable patterns like “Password123!”, consider passphrases that incorporate random elements.

Think of it as building a digital fortress. Hackers use sophisticated software that can crack simple passwords in seconds, but complex combinations exponentially increase the time needed to break them. A password like “Tr!c0l0r$un$3t#2024” combines multiple character types and avoids dictionary words, making it incredibly difficult to crack.

Special characters such as !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, (, ), -, _, +, =, [, ], {, }, |, , :, ;, “, ‘, <, >, ,, ., ?, /, ~, and ` add layers of complexity. Mix these throughout your password rather than simply adding them at the end.

Make Each Password Unique for Every Account

Using the same password across multiple accounts creates a domino effect of vulnerability. When one account gets compromised, cybercriminals immediately test that password on other popular platforms like email, banking, and social media sites.

The average person maintains over 80 online accounts, making unique passwords seem overwhelming. However, the consequences of password reuse far outweigh the inconvenience. A single data breach can expose credentials that unlock your entire digital life.

Consider creating a base password system where you modify a core phrase for different sites. For example, you might use “Blu3M00n&Stars!” as a base and modify it to “Blu3M00n&Stars!FB” for Facebook or “Blu3M00n&Stars!AMZ” for Amazon. While not perfect, this approach provides better security than identical passwords everywhere.

Implement Password Managers for Effortless Security

Password managers eliminate the impossible task of remembering dozens of unique, complex passwords. These applications generate random, highly secure passwords and store them in an encrypted vault protected by one master password.

Popular options include 1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass, and Dashlane. These tools integrate seamlessly with browsers and mobile devices, automatically filling login credentials across all your accounts. Most password managers also include features like secure password sharing, breach monitoring, and encrypted note storage.

The security benefits are substantial. Password managers can generate passwords like “X7$mK9@pL2!nQ5&wR8#tY4^uI1*oP6” that would take billions of years to crack using current technology. They also eliminate human error factors like writing passwords on sticky notes or saving them in unsecured documents.

Many password managers offer family plans, allowing you to share secure access with trusted family members while maintaining individual vaults for personal accounts.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication for Double Protection

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a critical second layer of security that makes your accounts nearly impossible to breach, even if your password gets compromised. This system requires two different types of verification: something you know (your password) and something you have (your phone or authentication app).

The most secure 2FA method uses authenticator apps like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy. These generate time-based codes that change every 30 seconds, making them useless to hackers who don’t have physical access to your device.

Text message 2FA, while better than no second factor, carries some risks since phone numbers can be hijacked through SIM swapping attacks. However, it still provides significantly more security than passwords alone.

Hardware security keys represent the gold standard of 2FA. These physical devices plug into your computer’s USB port or connect via Bluetooth, providing the strongest possible authentication. Companies like YubiKey and Google make these devices, which are practically impossible for remote attackers to bypass.

Enable 2FA on your most critical accounts first: email, banking, password manager, and any accounts containing financial or personal information. Most major platforms now support 2FA, and the extra few seconds during login provide invaluable peace of mind.

Master Your Social Media Privacy Settings Like a Pro

Lock Down Your Personal Information from Public View

Your social media profiles contain treasure troves of personal data that cybercriminals love to exploit. Start by making your profile completely private across all platforms. On Facebook, head to Settings & Privacy, then Privacy Settings, and change “Who can see your future posts?” to “Friends” only. Switch your profile visibility to “Friends” rather than “Public” to prevent strangers from accessing your basic information.

LinkedIn requires special attention since it’s designed for networking. While keeping your professional headline visible makes sense, hide sensitive details like your exact location, phone number, and email address. Navigate to Settings & Privacy, then Visibility, and customize what information appears in your public profile.

Instagram users should immediately switch to a private account in Settings > Privacy. This simple change means only approved followers can see your content, stories, and personal details. Remove your phone number and email from your bio – these details become searchable when your account is public.

Twitter’s default settings are dangerously open. Go to Settings and Privacy > Privacy and Safety, then disable “Let others find you by your email address” and “Let others find you by your phone number.” These features help data brokers connect your social media accounts to other personal information.

Review and delete old posts that reveal too much personal information. That check-in from your neighborhood gym or photo tagged at your child’s school creates a digital map of your daily routine that criminals can exploit.

Control Who Can See Your Posts and Photos

Creating custom friend lists transforms how you share content safely. Facebook’s audience selector lets you share different content with different groups – family photos with relatives, work updates with colleagues, and personal thoughts with close friends only. Create lists like “Close Friends,” “Work Colleagues,” and “Acquaintances” to control exactly who sees what.

Photo tagging poses serious privacy risks because tagged photos appear on multiple profiles, expanding your content’s reach beyond your intended audience. Disable automatic tagging across all platforms and require approval before anyone tags you in photos. On Facebook, go to Timeline and Tagging settings and change “Who can tag you in posts?” to require your approval first.

Stories and temporary content aren’t as temporary as they seem. Instagram and Facebook stories can be screenshot or saved by viewers, creating permanent copies of content you thought would disappear. Treat story content with the same privacy considerations as regular posts.

Review your tagged photos regularly and remove tags from images that compromise your privacy. That photo from a friend’s party might reveal your location, relationships, or activities you prefer to keep private. Most platforms allow you to remove tags without notifying the original poster.

Third-party apps connected to your social media accounts often have broad permissions to access and share your content. Review connected apps monthly and revoke access to any services you no longer use or trust.

Disable Location Tracking to Protect Your Movements

Location data creates detailed patterns of your daily life that criminals use for stalking, burglary planning, and identity theft. Every platform tracks your location differently, requiring specific steps to protect yourself.

Instagram automatically adds location data to photos and stories. Turn off location services for Instagram in your phone’s main settings, then disable “Add to Photo Map” in Instagram’s privacy settings. Remove location tags from existing posts by editing them individually – this tedious process protects years of location history.

Facebook’s location tracking runs deeper than most people realize. Disable “Location History” and “Location Services” in Facebook’s settings, but also check “Off-Facebook Activity” where the platform tracks your location through other apps and websites. Clear this data and disable future tracking to prevent Facebook from building a comprehensive map of your movements.

Snapchat’s Snap Map broadcasts your real-time location to all your friends by default. Switch to “Ghost Mode” immediately to disappear from the map. Even in Ghost Mode, Snapchat stores your location data internally, so disable location permissions entirely in your phone’s settings.

Dating apps like Tinder and Bumble use precise location data to show your approximate distance to other users. While this serves the app’s purpose, it also reveals your general location to strangers. Consider using these apps only when away from your home and workplace to avoid revealing your daily locations.

Geotagged photos contain embedded location coordinates that anyone can extract using simple online tools. Disable location services for your camera app or manually remove location data from photos before sharing them online.

Browse the Internet Anonymously and Securely

Choose Secure Browsers That Protect Your Data

Your browser is your gateway to the internet, and the wrong choice can expose you to serious privacy risks. Mainstream browsers like Chrome and Edge collect extensive data about your browsing habits, which they share with advertisers and other third parties.

Privacy-focused browsers offer a much better alternative. Firefox stands out as an excellent middle ground, offering strong privacy features while maintaining compatibility with most websites. You can enhance Firefox’s privacy by enabling strict tracking protection and installing privacy extensions like uBlock Origin.

For maximum privacy, consider Tor Browser, which routes your traffic through multiple encrypted layers, making it nearly impossible to trace your online activity. While Tor is slower than regular browsers, it provides unmatched anonymity for sensitive browsing.

Brave browser automatically blocks ads and trackers while offering built-in cryptocurrency features. DuckDuckGo’s browser focuses on search privacy and tracker blocking. Both options provide solid privacy protection without requiring technical expertise.

Use VPNs to Hide Your Online Identity

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, masking your real IP address and location. Without a VPN, your internet service provider, government agencies, and malicious actors can monitor your online activities.

When choosing a VPN, prioritize services with no-logs policies, meaning they don’t store records of your browsing activity. Top-rated options include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. Avoid free VPNs, as they often sell user data to cover operational costs.

Look for VPNs that offer:

• Military-grade encryption (AES-256)
• Kill switch functionality
• Multiple server locations
• Support for multiple devices
• Fast connection speeds

Always connect to your VPN before browsing, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks. Coffee shops, airports, and hotels often have unsecured networks where hackers can easily intercept your data.

Clear Your Browser History and Cookies Regularly

Your browser accumulates massive amounts of personal information over time. Cookies track your preferences and login status, but they also enable companies to build detailed profiles of your online behavior. Browser history reveals your interests, research topics, and personal habits.

Set your browser to automatically clear cookies and history when you close it. Most browsers offer this option in their privacy settings. For selective clearing, remove data weekly or monthly depending on your privacy needs.

Consider using incognito or private browsing mode for sensitive activities. While this mode doesn’t make you completely anonymous, it prevents your browser from storing history, cookies, and form data locally.

Browser fingerprinting presents another challenge. Websites can identify you based on your device’s unique characteristics, even without cookies. Extensions like ClearURLs and Decentraleyes help reduce fingerprinting risks.

Avoid Suspicious Websites and Downloads

Malicious websites and downloads represent major threats to your privacy and security. Cybercriminals create fake websites that look legitimate to steal personal information or install malware on your device.

Red flags include:

• URLs with suspicious spellings or extra characters
• Pop-ups claiming your computer is infected
• Requests to download software to view content
• Websites lacking proper security certificates
• Offers that seem too good to be true

Stick to reputable websites and official app stores for downloads. When downloading software, always choose the developer’s official website rather than third-party download sites. These alternative sites often bundle malware with legitimate software.

Install reputable antivirus software that includes real-time web protection. These programs can block access to known malicious sites and scan downloads before they reach your system.

Shop Only on Encrypted Websites with HTTPS

Online shopping requires sharing sensitive financial information, making encryption absolutely critical. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) encrypts data transmitted between your browser and the website, protecting it from interception.

Always check for the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar before entering payment information. The URL should start with “https://” rather than “http://”. Most modern browsers display warnings when you attempt to enter sensitive information on unencrypted sites.

Never shop on public Wi-Fi networks, even with HTTPS protection. Use your mobile data connection or wait until you have access to a secure network. Public Wi-Fi creates additional vulnerabilities that criminals can exploit.

Consider using digital payment methods like PayPal or Apple Pay instead of entering credit card information directly. These services add extra security layers and limit your exposure if a website experiences a data breach.

Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized transactions. Report suspicious activity immediately to minimize potential damage from compromised payment information.

Protect Your Personal Information from Data Thieves

Limit What You Share in Online Forms

Every time you fill out an online form, you’re essentially handing over pieces of your digital identity. Data thieves know this and actively target websites with weak security to harvest personal information from forms. The key is becoming selective about what you share and when.

Start by questioning whether each piece of information is truly necessary. Many websites ask for your full name, address, phone number, and birthdate when they only need an email address to provide their service. Leave optional fields blank whenever possible. If a field seems unnecessary but is marked as required, consider whether you really need to use that particular service.

Create different versions of your personal information for different purposes. Use a secondary email address for newsletters, shopping accounts, and one-time registrations. This keeps your primary email clean and reduces the impact if that information gets compromised. For addresses, consider using a P.O. Box or your workplace address instead of your home address when making purchases.

Many forms also ask for demographic information like income, occupation, or family details. Unless you’re applying for credit or insurance, this information is rarely essential for the service you’re seeking. Skip these fields or provide general ranges rather than specific details.

Be Cautious About Giving Out Your Phone Number

Your phone number is like a master key to your digital life. Scammers use phone numbers to reset passwords, bypass two-factor authentication, and launch social engineering attacks. They can also sell your number to robocallers and spammers, turning your phone into a constant source of interruption.

Before sharing your phone number, ask yourself if the company genuinely needs it. Many websites claim they need your number for “security purposes” or “account verification,” but they’re often just building their marketing database. Legitimate services will clearly explain why they need your number and how they’ll use it.

Consider getting a secondary phone number through services like Google Voice or similar apps. Use this number for online accounts, shopping, and any situation where you’re unsure about the recipient’s intentions. This way, if the number gets compromised or starts receiving spam calls, you can easily change it without affecting your primary communications.

When you do share your phone number, pay attention to the privacy settings. Many websites automatically opt you into text message marketing, which can quickly become overwhelming. Look for checkboxes about SMS notifications and uncheck them unless you specifically want those messages.

Never Share Financial Information Through Email

Email is one of the least secure ways to communicate, yet criminals constantly trick people into sharing sensitive financial details through seemingly legitimate messages. Banks, credit card companies, and financial institutions have strict policies against requesting sensitive information via email, but scammers create convincing replicas of official communications.

Real financial institutions will never ask you to confirm account numbers, Social Security numbers, or passwords through email. They won’t send links asking you to “verify your account” or “update your information.” When you receive these messages, they’re almost always phishing attempts designed to steal your credentials.

If you receive an email claiming to be from your bank or credit card company, don’t click any links or reply with personal information. Instead, log into your account directly by typing the official website address into your browser. You can also call the customer service number on your physical card or statement to verify if the communication is legitimate.

Be especially wary of urgent-sounding messages claiming your account will be closed or frozen unless you respond immediately. Scammers use time pressure to make you act without thinking. Legitimate financial institutions give you plenty of notice for account changes and multiple ways to contact them if there are genuine issues.

Recognize and Avoid Common Online Scams

Identify Phishing Emails and Fake Websites

Cybercriminals have become incredibly sophisticated at creating convincing fake emails and websites that look legitimate. The key to spotting these scams lies in paying attention to the details most people overlook.

Check the sender’s email address carefully. Scammers often use addresses that look similar to real companies but contain subtle misspellings like “amazom.com” instead of “amazon.com” or add extra characters like “paypal-security.com.” Legitimate companies always use their official domain names.

Look for urgent language and pressure tactics. Phrases like “Your account will be closed in 24 hours” or “Immediate action required” are red flags. Real companies rarely create artificial deadlines for account security issues.

Examine links before clicking by hovering your mouse over them. The actual destination URL will appear at the bottom of your browser. If it doesn’t match the company’s official website, don’t click it.

Grammar and spelling mistakes are dead giveaways. Professional organizations have teams that proofread their communications. Multiple errors suggest the message came from scammers.

Be suspicious of generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your actual name. Companies you have accounts with typically address you personally in their communications.

Spot Social Engineering Tactics Used by Scammers

Social engineering attacks prey on human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. Scammers manipulate emotions and exploit trust to trick people into revealing sensitive information.

Watch out for authority manipulation tactics. Scammers often impersonate IT support, bank representatives, or government officials to create a sense of urgency and compliance. They might say things like “This is the IRS calling about unpaid taxes” or “Your computer has been compromised, and we need remote access immediately.”

Fear-based manipulation is another common approach. Scammers create panic by claiming your accounts have been hacked, your identity stolen, or legal action pending against you. They count on fear clouding your judgment and rushing you into poor decisions.

Romance scams exploit loneliness and emotional vulnerability. Online dating scammers build relationships over weeks or months before requesting money for emergencies, travel expenses, or investment opportunities. They often claim to be military personnel overseas or wealthy individuals temporarily unable to access their funds.

Pretexting involves creating elaborate fictional scenarios to gain trust. A scammer might call pretending to be conducting a survey, then gradually ask more personal questions to gather information for identity theft.

Verify Requests for Personal Information

Never provide sensitive information based solely on an unsolicited request, regardless of how legitimate it seems. Establish independent verification procedures for any request involving personal data, financial information, or account access.

Contact the organization directly using official phone numbers or websites you find independently, not contact information provided in the suspicious message. If someone claims to be from your bank, hang up and call the number on your credit card or bank statement.

Be especially cautious with requests for Social Security numbers, passwords, account numbers, or verification codes sent to your phone. Legitimate organizations already have most of this information and won’t ask for it via email or unsolicited calls.

Multi-factor authentication codes should never be shared with anyone. These temporary codes are designed to protect your accounts from unauthorized access. If someone asks for a code you just received, it’s likely a scammer trying to access your account.

Create a personal verification system with family members. Establish code words or security questions that only you know. This helps protect against scammers who might impersonate relatives in emergency situations asking for money.

Report Suspicious Activities to Authorities

Reporting scams helps protect others and assists law enforcement in tracking criminal activity. Even if you didn’t fall victim to a scam, reporting attempts helps authorities identify patterns and shut down operations.

Forward phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org and to the company being impersonated. Most major companies have dedicated email addresses for reporting scams using their brand.

Report online scams to the Federal Trade Commission through their website at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC maintains a database of scam reports that helps identify trends and coordinate enforcement actions.

Contact your local police for threats, extortion attempts, or any scam involving significant financial losses. Many departments now have cybercrime units equipped to handle digital fraud cases.

If you’ve been targeted by romance scams, report them to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). These reports help track international criminal organizations operating romance scam networks.

Keep detailed records of all scam attempts, including screenshots, email headers, phone numbers, and any other relevant information. This documentation becomes valuable evidence for investigations and can help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.

Secure Your Devices Against Digital Threats

Keep Your Software Updated with Latest Security Patches

Cybercriminals constantly search for vulnerabilities in outdated software to exploit your devices. When software companies discover these security holes, they release patches to fix them. Running outdated software is like leaving your front door unlocked with a sign that says “hackers welcome.”

Set up automatic updates on all your devices whenever possible. Your operating system, web browsers, apps, and plugins should all update automatically. This includes your phone’s iOS or Android system, Windows or macOS updates, Chrome or Safari browser updates, and any apps you use regularly.

Pay special attention to critical software like your web browser, which handles sensitive data daily. Browser updates often include security fixes that protect against malicious websites and phishing attacks. The same goes for popular targets like Adobe Flash, Java, and Microsoft Office – these programs are frequently targeted by hackers.

Check for updates weekly if automatic updates aren’t available. Many devices have a “check for updates” option in their settings menu. Don’t postpone these updates, even if they seem inconvenient. The few minutes you spend updating could save you hours of dealing with a security breach later.

Install Reputable Antivirus Protection

Modern antivirus software does much more than catch viruses. Today’s security suites protect against malware, ransomware, phishing attempts, and suspicious websites. They act as your digital bodyguard, screening everything that enters your device.

Choose antivirus software from established companies with proven track records. Free options like Windows Defender (built into Windows) or Avast provide basic protection. Premium solutions like Norton, Bitdefender, or Kaspersky offer advanced features like real-time scanning, firewall protection, and identity theft monitoring.

Look for these essential features when selecting antivirus software:

• Real-time scanning that checks files as you download or access them
• Web protection that blocks malicious websites before they load
• Email scanning to catch phishing attempts and infected attachments
• Automatic updates to stay current with the latest threat definitions
• Low system impact so your device runs smoothly

Configure your antivirus to run scheduled full system scans weekly. These deep scans can catch threats that might slip past real-time protection. Don’t disable your antivirus, even temporarily, unless you’re installing trusted software that requires it.

Use Screen Locks and Device Encryption

Your phone contains more personal information than your wallet ever did. Without proper protection, anyone who picks up your device can access your photos, messages, banking apps, and social media accounts.

Set up strong screen locks on all your devices. Avoid simple patterns, PINs like “1234,” or easily guessable passwords. Biometric options like fingerprint scanners or face recognition offer convenience without sacrificing security. Many devices now support multiple fingerprints, so you can register different fingers for various situations.

Screen Lock Options Ranked by Security:

Lock Type	Security Level	Convenience	Best For
Biometric (Fingerprint/Face)	High	Excellent	Daily use
Strong PIN (6+ digits)	High	Good	Backup method
Complex Password	Highest	Fair	High-security needs
Pattern Lock	Medium	Good	Quick access
Simple PIN (4 digits)	Low	Excellent	Not recommended

Enable device encryption on all your devices. This scrambles your data so it’s unreadable without your password, even if someone removes your storage drive. Most modern smartphones encrypt data automatically when you set up a screen lock. For computers, turn on BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (Mac).

Set your devices to lock automatically after a short period of inactivity – ideally 30 seconds to 2 minutes. This prevents others from accessing your unlocked device if you step away or lose it. You can also enable remote wipe features that let you erase your device’s data if it’s stolen.

Consider using a separate, stronger password for encryption than your regular screen lock. This adds an extra layer of protection for your most sensitive data while keeping daily access convenient.

Build Smart Digital Habits for Long-Term Safety

Regularly Monitor Your Online Accounts for Unusual Activity

Checking your accounts regularly isn’t just good practice—it’s your first line of defense against cybercriminals who might have gained unauthorized access. Set up a weekly routine to review your bank statements, credit card transactions, and online account activities. Look for charges you don’t recognize, login attempts from unfamiliar locations, or changes to your account settings that you didn’t make.

Most major platforms offer activity logs that show when and where someone accessed your account. Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, and banking apps all provide these features. Check them monthly and immediately report any suspicious activity. Many people discover breaches weeks or months after they occur simply because they weren’t paying attention to these warning signs.

Enable account alerts whenever possible. Banks and credit card companies can text or email you instantly when transactions occur. Social media platforms can notify you of login attempts from new devices. These real-time alerts catch problems before they become disasters.

Create a simple spreadsheet listing all your online accounts, when you last checked them, and any unusual activity you’ve noticed. This organized approach helps you stay on top of multiple accounts without feeling overwhelmed.

Back Up Your Important Data Securely

Your digital life contains irreplaceable memories, important documents, and valuable information that could vanish in seconds due to hardware failure, malware, or theft. Smart backup habits protect you from losing everything when disaster strikes.

Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: keep three copies of important data, store them on two different types of media, and keep one copy offsite. This might sound complicated, but it’s simpler than you think. Store files on your computer, back them up to an external hard drive, and use a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud for the third copy.

Automate your backups so you don’t have to remember to do them manually. Most operating systems have built-in backup tools that run in the background. Windows has File History, and Mac has Time Machine. Set these up once, and they’ll protect your files continuously.

Don’t forget about your phone data. Your photos, contacts, and messages are just as important as your computer files. Both iPhone and Android devices offer automatic cloud backups, but you should verify they’re working properly and test restoring data occasionally.

Educate Yourself About Emerging Online Threats

Cybercriminals constantly develop new tactics, making yesterday’s security knowledge insufficient for today’s threats. Staying informed about emerging scams and attack methods helps you recognize dangers before you become a victim.

Subscribe to reputable cybersecurity blogs and newsletters from organizations like the Federal Trade Commission, your bank’s security team, or trusted tech companies. These sources provide timely warnings about new phishing campaigns, malware variants, and social engineering tricks targeting consumers.

Pay attention to news about data breaches affecting companies you use. When a breach occurs, change your passwords immediately and monitor your accounts more closely for several months. Criminals often wait before using stolen data, hoping you’ll become less vigilant over time.

Join online communities focused on digital safety where people share real-world experiences with scams and security threats. Reddit communities like r/scams provide valuable insights into the latest tricks criminals are using to target unsuspecting users.

Practice skeptical thinking when encountering unexpected emails, phone calls, or text messages asking for personal information. When something seems too good to be true or creates artificial urgency, take time to verify the request through official channels before responding. The few minutes spent fact-checking could save you from significant financial and personal harm.

Taking control of your online privacy isn’t as complicated as it might seem. Strong passwords, locked-down social media settings, anonymous browsing, and protecting your personal data form the backbone of digital security. When you combine these basics with the ability to spot scams and secure your devices, you’re building a solid wall between yourself and cybercriminals.

The internet doesn’t have to be a scary place when you know how to navigate it safely. Start with one or two of these privacy tips today – maybe update a few passwords or check your social media settings. Small changes in your digital habits can make a huge difference in keeping your information safe. Your future self will thank you for taking these steps now, and you’ll feel much more confident every time you go online.