It can take as little as 18 days to form a habit, and 66 days for this new behaviour to become automotive. Once you do learn a habit, however, it becomes second nature.
Why does this matter for online security? Well, forming a more robust security culture around yourself takes commitment, but once you get it and stick to it – it’s not going anywhere. You can then rest easy knowing your data and credentials are being kept safe from cyberattacks.
The UK is dealing with a rising national security threat from online scammers with nearly two-fifths of businesses experiencing a cyber-attack in the past 12 months. The market is clearly in a weak spot, and the cost-of-living crisis may be adding fuel to the fire. Businesses are now cutting back on expenses to manage the rising costs, but this will be detrimental to online security. Simple changes that could prevent cyber-attacks, like not repeating the same passwords, are not being implemented as 64% of breached passwords were used across multiple accounts. It is important to develop habits that ensure cyber health, whether it’s for personal or professional use.
Start a routine for good cyber habits
We often assume that data breaches won’t happen to us. We read the news about somebody’s accounts getting hacked, or a business having a breach, and we never imagine that we could be on the receiving end. However, this is exactly how cyber-attacks happen and targets are often unsuspecting, unaware users.
There are many steps you can take and tools you can easily implement to ensure your data is kept safe online. If it seems like a hefty task at first, start small, and build it up over time. Forming a habit is all about routine, and once you’re in the swing of things it will become second nature. Kick off your cyber secure future by following these tips:
Trust your gut, don’t click on suspicious, untrusted links – Phishing links, credential harvesting sites, and other forms of social engineering can come through a suspicious text, an odd message through your social media account, or a weird phone call. Stay one step ahead by using the same caution and skepticism regardless of where the message comes from.
Update Software and Backup Devices – Keeping software updated and backing up data is important in case your computer breaks down, but it’s also a smart idea to do this in case you fall victim to a cyberattack. No one wants to have their data held hostage or, worse, permanently deleted.
Use strong passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA) – A strong password is the first and most essential line of defence against a cyberattack. While a password is the most common form of authentication, it’s worth noting there are others. Each time you add another form of authentication to your tool belt, you improve your cyber security.
Take advantage of wider tools, such as a password manager – A password manager organises all of your passwords in one place. It provides security to protect those passwords and makes it a lot easier for you to have a strong, unique password for everything.
Password managers for safety
When creating strong passwords, utilising a password manager is a major benefit. It is a software application that is designed to store and manage online credentials, ensuring your private details are secured.
Password managers prevent cyber hackers and scammers by using strong encryption. These devices use industry-standard protection, making it virtually impossible for hackers to access your passwords. There are other benefits included in password managers besides just protecting your accounts with hard-to-decipher passwords, such as:
- Simplifying online shopping – your password manager website will fill in all your payment and shipping details on the checkout page whilst online shopping, saving you time and effort.
- Dark web monitoring – data breaches are becoming a regular occurrence with data being leaked online. This feature will alert you if any of your personal information is at risk and if your logins have appeared online. It will also advise you on the next steps to protect your account.
- Storing information – you can store other critical pieces of information, documents and notes safely on your password manager. If you have important travel documents or itineraries or emergency contact information you want to keep safe, it is in one safe and secure vault.
Honouring new habits
It is imperative that we all start taking precautions to secure our online selves and prevent cyber hackers from gaining access before they have the chance. While never a one-stop shop, it’s never too late to start incorporating safe practices and tools. Think of it like going to the gym – you need to keep at it to see the benefits. After all, ensuring your safe online and passwords are secure should be something you don’t even need to think about.