Cybersecurity resolutions to act on for a safer 2026 online experience

We couldn’t let 2025 end without a final reminder on digital security. Cybercriminals never slow down. In fact, the holidays and the start of a new year often lead to an increase in scams, account takeovers and data theft. The good news is that cybersecurity doesn’t have to seem overwhelming. You don’t need advanced skills or expensive tools. With a few smart habits, you can reduce your risks and protect your digital life throughout 2026. To help you start the year strong, here are 10 simple cybersecurity resolutions that actually work.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM bulletin.

MOST USED PASSWORD IN AMERICA IN 2025 REVEALED

Strong passwords and two-factor authentication prevent most account takeovers before they start. (Peter Steffen/photo alliance)

1) Start the year with strong passwords

Passwords remain your first line of defense. Weak or reused passwords make it easy for attackers to break into multiple accounts at once. Use a unique password for each account. Longer passphrases work better than short, complex strings. A reputable password manager can generate and store passwords securely, so you don’t need to memorize them. One rule matters the most. Never reuse passwords.

Next, check to see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 choice for password manager (see Cyberguy.com/Passwords) includes a built-in breach scanner that checks if your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Discover the Best Expert-Rated Password Managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com.

2) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second step after your password. This usually includes a code from an application or a physical security key. Even if someone steals your password, 2FA can block access. Application-based authenticators provide more effective protection than text messages. Enable it for email, banking, social media, and shopping accounts first.

3) Audit your digital presence

Old accounts create new risks. Take the time to review shopping sites, forums, apps, and subscriptions that you no longer use. Remove what you don’t need. Update the privacy settings of what you keep. Share less personal information as much as possible, especially birthdays, locations and phone numbers. A smaller digital footprint limits abuse.

5 SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY ONLINE

Simple habits like updating software and thinking before you click to block common scams. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

4) Keep software and devices up to date

Security updates address real vulnerabilities that attackers are actively exploiting. Ignoring updates leaves the doors open. Enable automatic updates for operating systems, browsers, apps, routers and smart devices. This habit blocks many common attacks without additional effort. Outdated software remains one of the leading causes of successful hacking.

5) Use a personal data deletion service

Your personal information appears on hundreds of data broker sites. These sites collect names, addresses, phone numbers and relatives, then sell access to anyone willing to pay. A personal data deletion service allows you to locate and delete this information. This step reduces scam attempts, phishing messages and the risk of identity theft throughout the year. Less data exposed means fewer threats.

Although no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the Internet, a data deletion service is definitely a wise choice. They’re not cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically deleting your personal information across hundreds of websites. This is what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the Internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of fraudsters cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data deletion services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already available on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free analysis to find out if your personal information is already available on the web: Cyberguy.com

6) Consider identity theft protection

Identity theft often starts quietly. A a violation occurs. Data leaks. Fraud follows months later. Identity theft companies can monitor personal information such as your Social Security number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is sold on the dark web or used to open an account. They can also help you freeze your bank and credit card accounts to prevent unauthorized use by criminals. Many services can also search for accounts linked to multiple email addresses, making cleanup easier. Early warnings help you take action before damage spreads.

Check out my tips and top picks for protecting yourself against identity theft at Cyberguy.com.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM WEB INJECTION SCAMS

Backups, secure Wi-Fi, and identity monitoring help limit damage in the event of a breach. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

7) Think before you click and use strong antivirus protection

Most cyberattacks always start with a click. Fake shipping noticeReimbursement alerts and urgent messages push people to act quickly. Pause before clicking on links or opening attachments. Many scams now use AI to generate realistic messages, fake voices and convincing images, making it even more important to pause before clicking. Instead, check messages through official websites or apps. Powerful antivirus software adds another layer of protection by blocking malware, ransomware, and malicious downloads on your devices, protecting your personal information and digital assets.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

8) Secure your home Wi-Fi network

Your Wi-Fi network connects everything. This makes him a valuable target. Change the router’s default password immediately. Enable WPA3 encryption if your router supports it. Keep router firmware up to date and avoid sharing your network with unknown devices. A secure network protects every connected device.

9) Back up your data regularly

Backups protect you ransomwarehardware failure and accidental deletion. Many people still ignore them. To use cloud backupsan external hard drive or both. Automate the process so it runs without reminders. If something goes wrong, backups allow you to recover quickly.

10) Freeze your credit if you don’t need it

A credit freeze prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. It remains one of the strongest defenses against identity fraud until 2026. Credit freezing is free and reversible. You can temporarily lift it when applying for a loan or credit card. This single step completely blocks many identity crimes. To learn more about how to do this, visit Cyberguy.com and search for “How to Freeze Your Credit.”

Pro Tip: Lock Your Email and Use Aliases

Your email account controls password resets, alerts, and account recovery. If attackers get in, they can hit almost everything else. Secure your primary email address with a long, unique password and two-factor authentication. Then create email aliases for purchases, subscriptions, and registrations. Pseudonyms limit exposure when a company suffers a data breach and make phishing easier to detect. Protecting email in this way reinforces all other cybersecurity resolutions.

By creating email aliases, you can protect your information and reduce spam. These aliases forward messages to your primary address, making it easier to manage incoming communications and avoiding data breaches.

For recommendations on private and secure email providers offering alias addresses, visit Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s Key Takeaways

A safer digital life starts with small, consistent decisions. Strong passwords, updates, backups and awareness go a long way. By committing to these cybersecurity resolutions, you are preparing for a more secure 2026. You also make it harder for criminals to profit from stolen data. There’s no better time to start than now.

Which of these cybersecurity habits are you still delaying, and what would it take to fix them today? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM bulletin.

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.