5 Habits That Help Keep Your Passwords and Other Data Secure

For Mac users who have Pages as a built-in word processor, choose  File | Set Password and enter a desired password. You’ll be asked to type it a second time. Apple recommends adding a password hint. You have the option of checking a box to save it to your iCloud Keychain, a built-in password manager for Apple devices, then click Set Password.

2. Change your passwords regularly

If you work or worked recently for a large company, you probably were required to change your password every 90 days. You may have seen a countdown calendar tucked among the many icons on your computer screen.

Cybersecurity experts remain divided on the frequency of modifying passwords, but most suggest every three months. Set a calendar reminder or think about it as part of your routine when the seasons change.

If you learn either through news reports or notification from a company whose systems were hacked that your account was compromised, change that particular password immediately — and maybe some others if you’ve been a password recycler. Don’t delay.

Making minor changes to an old password is not helpful, the National Institute of Standards and Technology says. Attackers can apply the same minor tweaks to gain access to your accounts.

3. Install antimalware apps, keep them updated

If you don’t have antivirus software on your devices, install reputable apps such as Bitdefender, McAfee or Norton, to protect you from ransomware, spyware, Trojan horses, viruses and worms. Device manufacturers, eager to tamp down attacks on their equipment and their reputations, are including more of this security free with purchase.

Whether you decide to add third-party protection for a subscription or stay with what’s free, keep the software updated. You can set your devices to automatically update operating systems and antivirus software, so you don’t have to remember. Set updates for your hardware, too, such as a wireless router and printer.

4. Use two-factor authentication or a VPN

Make it tougher for cybercriminals to access your online accounts by adding a second layer of defense. Multifactor authentication, also known as two-factor authentication, adds a layer of security on top of your password or biometrics with a onetime code typically texted to your mobile phone, sent to your email account or even called via voice bot to your landline telephone.

Or you can opt for a virtual private network (VPN) that connects to a secure, encrypted server, keeping you anonymous and safe even if you’re accessing  public Wi-Fi.

5. Be prepared for your death

After years of online activity, our digital footprints become our legacy of sorts.

Getting your accounts organized and your passwords secure will help your loved ones deal with your affairs when you die.

Some websites and password manager apps let you identify a digital beneficiary to access your accounts. The key is to let that person know in advance, so they’re prepared to follow your wishes and can access your digital vault.