What is one cybersecurity best practice you've implemented in your personal life that has significantly improved your online safety? How has this practice made you feel more secure?

Question

In today's digital landscape, protecting personal online safety has become more critical than ever. This article delves into essential cybersecurity practices, drawing insights from experts in the field to help readers safeguard their digital lives. From software updates to password management and multi-factor authentication, these proven strategies offer a robust defense against cyber threats.

Elsie Day · Answer

One cybersecurity best practice I've implemented in my personal life that has significantly improved my online safety is consistently updating my software and devices. It might sound like a simple step, but making this a deliberate and regular habit has made a noticeable difference in how secure I feel online.
A few years ago, my friend booked a last-minute holiday and used her tablet to access her bank account and travel apps while away. Everything seemed fine until she returned home to find unauthorized charges on her debit card. The investigation found that malware exploited an unpatched vulnerability in a travel app she used. She had ignored several update notifications before the trip, assuming they could wait. That incident was a real eye-opener. Thankfully, the bank refunded the money, but the experience left her feeling exposed.
Since then, I have been conscious of my updating habits. I now enable automatic updates on all devices, including my laptop, smartphone, apps, and even the firmware on my Wi-Fi router and smart devices. I also try to routinely perform checks to catch anything that might have been missed, especially for third-party apps and older devices. I no longer view updates as optional or as minor technical fixes; they're now part of my core digital hygiene routine.
This shift has given me a real sense of control. Knowing my devices are patched against the latest vulnerabilities brings peace of mind, especially when using public Wi-Fi or accessing sensitive accounts. I'm not constantly worrying about whether I've left a digital door open.
Adopting this habit has had something of a knock-on effect on me being more mindful of other best practices like deleting unused apps, regularly changing passwords, and backing up my data.

Simon Lewis · Answer

The single most impactful cybersecurity practice I've implemented in my personal life is using a password manager with unique, complex passwords for every single account. As someone who deals with mobile security threats daily at Certo, I've seen firsthand how password reuse across multiple platforms creates a domino effect when one service experiences a breach.
In my early security career, I witnessed countless cases where intelligent, security-conscious individuals had their digital lives compromised through password reuse. These experiences shaped my approach to personal security long before founding Certo. The pattern is always the same - one service suffers a breach, and within hours, attackers are successfully attempting logins across numerous platforms.
Implementing randomly generated 20+ character passwords unique to each service creates a critical security boundary. When a company experiences a breach, the damage remains contained to that single service. This compartmentalization is invaluable considering how many major data breaches occur without users learning about them until months later.
The psychological benefit of this approach is substantial. There's tremendous confidence that comes from knowing your digital identity is protected by truly robust security measures. The initial setup of a comprehensive password system takes a weekend at most, but the ongoing maintenance is minimal compared to the security benefits. The anxiety that typically follows news of major breaches becomes a thing of the past.
What surprises many people is that implementing robust password hygiene actually makes digital life more convenient, not less. A good password manager auto-fills credentials across all devices, creating faster logins while maintaining significantly better security.
This practice complements our work at Certo, where we help people secure their mobile devices against increasingly sophisticated threats. 
Simon LewisCo-founder at Certo Software

Michael Gargiulo · Answer

One cybersecurity best practice that has truly fortified my personal online safety is the strict adoption of unique, complex passphrases for every single online account I possess. Gone are the days of reusing even slightly modified passwords across different platforms. Instead, I now employ a password manager to generate and securely store strong, randomized strings of characters for each login, from my email to my banking to even less critical online services.
This practice has been a game-changer in terms of my peace of mind. Knowing that if one service were to experience a data breach, my other accounts remain protected by entirely different and robust credentials provides a significant sense of control. It's like having individual, unpickable locks on every door and window of my digital life. While remembering dozens of complex passphrases manually would be a nightmare, the password manager handles this seamlessly, making strong security both effective and convenient. This simple yet powerful habit has drastically reduced my anxiety about potential cyber threats and has made my online interactions feel considerably more secure.

Craig Bird · Answer

As both an individual and a cybersecurity lead at CloudTech24, the single change that has made the greatest difference to my personal security is switching all critical accounts—email, banking, cloud storage—to hardware-based multi-factor authentication with a FIDO2 security key.
Unlike SMS codes or app-generated tokens, the key stores my credentials in tamper-resistant silicon and only releases them after I touch the device, confirming physical presence. Phishing sites can steal passwords, but they can't replicate that cryptographic handshake, so even a convincing spoof page fails outright.
Since adopting the key two years ago, I've watched dozens of credential-phishing attempts hit a dead end in my SIEM logs, and I no longer worry about SIM-swap attacks.
The lesson is simple: removing the weakest link—the password-plus-text-message routine—turns most common account-takeover tactics into non-events, giving you peace of mind without adding daily friction.

Harman Singh · Answer

The use of passkeys as an authentication method has improved my approach to ensuring passwordless sign-ins, enhancing my digital security posture. It depends on the apps and websites that support it, essentially creating unique cryptographic credentials that are phishing-resistant and significantly more secure than traditional passwords. At Cyphere, we highly recommend adopting passwordless sign-ins where possible, and the same holds true for personal lives.
Here's a brief explanation of how it secures credentials: unlike passwords, which can be stolen, guessed, or breached in database compromises, passkeys use public-key cryptography that keeps private keys securely on my device. Even if a service I use experiences a data breach, my authentication credentials remain safe as only the public key exists on their servers. The elimination of password reuse and the inherent phishing protection provided by this technology has dramatically reduced my attack surface. Password reuse in the past has been linked to credential stuffing, the use of easy passwords has been linked to brute force methods, and password leaks have been linked to password attacks - more or less all roads lead to breaches here because of passwords. This authentication method significantly improves authentication security, and for me, it's highly recommended advice.
My second essential practice is maintaining a 'trust no one' approach to network connectivity through disciplined VPN usage. I've configured a reputable VPN service to automatically activate whenever I connect to any network outside my home or office environments. This has become an ingrained habit—as automatic as locking my door when leaving home.
This layered approach reflects my professional philosophy that comprehensive security requires addressing multiple attack vectors simultaneously.

Elmo Taddeo · Answer

One cybersecurity best practice I've personally adhered to over the years is using multi-factor authentication (MFA) on every account that offers it. A few years ago, my email was nearly compromised while I was traveling. I received a login attempt notification from a location I hadn't visited in months. Because MFA was enabled, the attacker couldn't get past the second layer of verification. That moment changed how I approached digital security, not just at work but in my daily life too.
Since then, I've enabled MFA on everything—from bank apps to social media to cloud storage. I use an authenticator app on my phone rather than relying on text messages, which can be intercepted more easily. Every login now gives me a little peace of mind. Even if someone guesses a password, they're stopped short before any damage is done.
For anyone still undecided, I always recommend starting with your most sensitive accounts: email, banking, and medical portals. Add MFA, and don't reuse passwords across accounts. It's a small step with a big payoff. Feeling in control of who has access to your information is empowering. It's one of the easiest ways to stay ahead of threats, especially with how sophisticated phishing attempts have become.

James Wilson · Answer

One cybersecurity practice I've been implementing is using a password manager. This practice has helped me use and store only strong, unique passwords for my accounts. I also love that it helps me avoid using the same password for every account, which is a weak point that hackers exploit - once your password is leaked, and you use it for every other account, then scammers will be able to access everything. Ever since I started using a password manager, I feel more secure because I know my passwords are safe and that I won't need to remember them.

Amit Doshi · Answer

One cybersecurity best practice I've implemented in my personal life is using a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each of my online accounts. This practice has not only streamlined my ability to manage multiple accounts securely but also significantly reduced the risk of being compromised through weak or reused passwords.
It has made me feel more secure because I no longer have to rely on memory or simplistic password strategies. With two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled across all critical accounts, the peace of mind that comes with knowing my digital identity is well-guarded is invaluable. This simple yet powerful change has created a robust layer of security in my everyday online activities.

Ryan Drake · Answer

One of the most effective cybersecurity habits I've adopted in my personal life is using a secure password manager. It's a small shift that dramatically increases online safety, especially when handling sensitive work information from a personal device or connecting to public Wi-Fi in places like airports or coffee shops.
A password manager allows me to generate and store strong, unique passwords for every account—removing the risk of reusing credentials or relying on easily guessed passwords. It also makes managing logins more efficient across devices, without compromising security. Most importantly, it ensures my accounts are better protected from common threats like phishing, credential stuffing, or data breaches.
This practice has given me real peace of mind. I know that even if one site is compromised, the damage is contained. With additional features like password breach alerts and support for multi-factor authentication, it's become a foundational part of how I secure both personal and professional information. For anyone looking to improve their cybersecurity posture without becoming an expert, a password manager is one of the easiest and smartest places to start.

Dmitry Nikolaenya · Answer

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your request. I'm Dmitry Nikolaenya, Head of SIEM Department and Principal Architect at ScienceSoft. With 5+ years of experience in the cybersecurity domain, I bring in-depth knowledge and insights into information security.
In response to your recent inquiry, here is my input:
If I had to recommend one practice that has significantly boosted my online safety, my advice would be simple yet crucial: aggressively change default passwords on every internet-connected device.
Think beyond your laptop or phone. Your Wi-Fi router, smart TV, baby monitor, security cameras, and even smart appliances all likely came with a factory-set username and password. These defaults are often publicly known or easily guessed, essentially leaving a door wide open for intruders.
The goal of changing these credentials isn't to protect separate devices; it's to secure the entire perimeter of your home network. Each device, no matter how simplistic, is a potential entry point. Knowing I've eliminated those obvious vulnerabilities feels like locking all the digital doors and windows to my home. This practice significantly reduces the attack surface, protecting not just the device itself but everything connected to it in your network.
Should you need any additional information or have further questions, I'm readily available to assist.
Hope to hear back from you soon!
Best regards,Dmitry NikolaenyaHead of SIEM Department, Principal ArchitectScienceSoft

10 Cybersecurity Practices that Enhance Personal Online Safety

10 Cybersecurity Practices that Enhance Personal Online Safety

Regularly Update Software for Enhanced Security

Implement Unique Passwords with Password Manager

Adopt Complex Passphrases for Each Account

Use Hardware-Based Multi-Factor Authentication

Embrace Passkeys and VPN for Protection

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication on All Accounts

Utilize Password Manager for Strong Credentials

Generate Unique Passwords with Password Manager

Secure Accounts with Password Management Tool

Change Default Passwords on Connected Devices