Cyber Hygiene

Simple Habits That Help Protect You Online

Cyber hygiene refers to the everyday habits that help protect your online accounts, devices, and personal information.

Just as healthy routines help protect your physical well-being, practicing good cyber hygiene can help reduce your risk of fraud, identity theft, and other cyber threats. While no single step can prevent every attack, building good habits can make it more difficult for criminals to gain access to your information.

Why It Matters

More of our daily lives happen online than ever before. From banking and shopping to email and social media, our accounts contain valuable personal and financial information.

Cybercriminals continue to develop new ways to target individuals, but taking proactive steps today can help reduce your risk tomorrow.

Build Good Cyber Hygiene Habits

Protect Your Accounts

• Use a unique password or passphrase for every account.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever available.
• Change default passwords on Wi-Fi routers and smart devices.
• Choose security question answers that aren’t easily found online or in public records.

Keep Your Devices Up to Date

• Install operating system updates as soon as they become available.
• Turn on automatic updates whenever possible.

Think Before You Click or Respond

• Avoid clicking unexpected links or opening unknown attachments.
• Never share personal or financial information through unsolicited messages.
• Verify requests using a trusted phone number or website.
• Text Message Tip: If you receive a suspicious text message, do not reply "STOP" or "NO." Delete the message instead.

Review Your Mobile Device Settings

• Review app permissions regularly.
• Turn off location services when they are not needed.

Stay Secure While Traveling

• Avoid public charging stations whenever possible.
• Use your own charging equipment and trusted power sources.

Quick Cyber Hygiene Checklist

• Use unique passwords.
• Enable MFA.
• Keep devices updated.
• Think before clicking.
• Review privacy settings.
• Avoid public charging stations.

Sources:

• United States Secret Service
• Federal Trade Commission
• Identity Theft Resource Center

The above referenced sources are provided as a courtesy. Signature Bank does not endorse or control the content of this source or website.