October 7, 2024
Personal Cyber Hygiene: What Is It and Why Should I Care?
As evidenced by recent disclosures by LinkedIn, Target, and Equifax, the frequency of data breaches has skyrocketed in recent years. In 2023 alone, data compromises surged by 78% compared to 2022, increasing from 1,801 to 3,205 reported incidents. This alarming trend underscores how vulnerable our personal information has become in the digital age. As a result, it’s crucial for individuals to take ownership of their data and adopt proactive measures to safeguard it. This is where Personal Cyber Hygiene comes into play.
Personal Cyber Hygiene refers to the habits and practices individuals use to protect their personal information and online presence. It involves a range of activities aimed at enhancing security and minimizing risks associated with cyberattacks and data breaches. Key aspects of Personal Cyber Hygiene include:
- Protecting personal devices
- Securing online accounts
- Using strong, unique passwords across all accounts
- Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Regularly updating software and operating systems
- Avoiding phishing scams and suspicious texts/emails
- Using antivirus software
- Being cautious when sharing sensitive information online
The primary goal of Personal Cyber Hygiene is to improve online security and privacy, ultimately reducing the chances of falling victim to identity theft, data breaches, and other forms of cybercrime.
Checking for Data Breaches
If you’re concerned that your personal data may have been compromised, you can easily check by entering your email address into tools like “Have I Been Pwned?” at:
This platform provides a list of data breaches linked to your email address. Once you’ve identified breaches that affect you, it’s important to evaluate what information was exposed and take immediate action to protect yourself.
In December of 2023 around 2.9 billion records were stolen from National Public Data, which is a public records data provider servicing background check and fraud prevention information. So even if you never worked with National Public Data and have never even heard of the company, they could have collected your data. In fact, as it turns out, they have gathered the Social Security numbers, current and past addresses, full names, and known relatives of almost 3 billion people.
You can verify if you were impacted by this breach by visiting these two websites:
Best Practices for Improving Your Cyber Hygiene
Change your password immediately if any of your accounts have been compromised. Cybercriminals often gain access to both your email and password, enabling them to breach other accounts where you may have reused the same credentials.
- Use a Password Manager: A password manager helps create and store strong, unique passwords for each account, minimizing the risk of widespread damage if one account is compromised.
- Avoid Reusing Passwords: Reusing passwords across multiple platforms is a common habit, but it exposes all your accounts to greater risk. If a hacker gains access to one account, they can easily break into others with the same login credentials.
- Inventory Your Online Accounts: Maintain a record of all your online accounts and ensure that each has a unique password. Using a password manager, you can swiftly generate new, secure passwords. Dedicating just 15 minutes a day to this task can drastically enhance your overall cyber hygiene.
Take Action if Your Credit Card or Bank Information is Stolen
If you suspect that your financial information, such as credit card or bank account details, has been compromised, act immediately:
- Contact your bank’s fraud department to report the potential breach.
- Follow any guidance they provide to safeguard your accounts.
- Monitor your transactions closely for any suspicious activity.
Freeze Your Credit if Sensitive Information (e.g., Social Security Number) is Stolen
If more sensitive personal information, like your Social Security number, has been exposed, consider freezing your credit to prevent identity theft:
- Visit the major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) to request a credit freeze. This action ensures that no one can open new accounts in your name without your authorization.
- Freezing your credit is a crucial step in protecting against identity theft and other fraudulent financial activities.
The Importance of Vigilance
Maintaining strong Personal Cyber Hygiene is an ongoing process. While the steps above provide a solid foundation, you must remain vigilant in monitoring your online accounts and protecting your personal data.
Final Thoughts
Cyber hygiene is essential for safeguarding your personal information in today’s interconnected world. By adopting good practices—such as using a password manager, regularly updating passwords, freezing your credit when necessary, and being cautious of suspicious emails/texts—you can significantly lower your risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime. The best approach to protecting your digital identity is to remain proactive and vigilant.