6 Simple Settings to Secure Your Digital Life

Navigating the online world can sometimes feel complicated, but keeping your personal information safe doesn’t have to be. You clicked here to learn essential security tips, and we’re here to help. By adjusting just a few key password and phone settings, you can build a strong digital defense and browse with confidence.

1. Set Up a Password Manager

Remembering dozens of unique, complex passwords for every website is nearly impossible. Many people resort to using the same simple password everywhere or writing them down on sticky notes, which are both risky habits. A password manager is the single best tool to solve this problem.

Think of it as a secure digital vault that creates, stores, and fills in strong, unique passwords for you. You only need to remember one single, strong “master password” to unlock the vault. This is far more secure and convenient.

Why it’s essential: If one website you use has a data breach, hackers will try that leaked password on your email, banking, and social media accounts. If you use unique passwords for everything, a breach on one site won’t compromise your other accounts.

How to get started:

• Built-in Options: Both Apple and Google offer excellent, free password managers built right into their systems. If you have an iPhone, iCloud Keychain automatically saves and syncs your passwords across your Apple devices. On an Android phone or using the Chrome browser, the Google Password Manager does the same.
• Third-Party Apps: For more features, you can use a dedicated app. Bitwarden offers a great free version that works on all devices. 1Password and Dashlane are also popular, highly-rated options that have user-friendly interfaces.

To set one up, simply download the app or enable the feature in your phone’s settings, create a strong master password you will never forget, and start saving your logins as you browse the web.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication, often called 2FA, is one of the most powerful security layers you can add to your important accounts. It works on the principle of requiring two forms of verification before granting access: something you know (your password) and something you have (your phone).

Even if a scammer manages to steal your password, they won’t be able to log in to your account without also having physical access to your phone. This simple step can stop criminals in their tracks.

Where to use it: You should enable 2FA on all of your most sensitive accounts, including:

• Your primary email account (like Gmail or Outlook)
• Online banking and financial apps
• Major shopping sites like Amazon
• Social media accounts like Facebook

How to enable it: Look in the “Security” or “Login Settings” section of your account’s profile. You’ll usually be given a choice for your second factor. While receiving a code via text message (SMS) is good, using an authenticator app like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy is even better and more secure.

3. Strengthen Your Phone's Lock Screen

Your smartphone holds the keys to your digital life, from photos and private messages to banking and email apps. Leaving it unlocked is like leaving the front door of your house wide open. A strong lock screen is your first line of defense if your phone is ever lost or stolen.

A simple four-digit PIN is easy to guess. Someone could watch you enter it over your shoulder or even guess it from the smudge marks on your screen.

How to make it stronger:

• Use a longer PIN or a password: Go into your phone’s settings under “Security” or “Face ID & Passcode.” Change your PIN from four digits to six digits or, even better, an alphanumeric password (a mix of letters and numbers).
• Enable Biometrics: If your phone supports it, use Face ID or a fingerprint sensor. This is both highly secure and very convenient.
• Reduce the Auto-Lock Time: Set your screen to lock automatically after a short period, such as 30 seconds or 1 minute of inactivity. This ensures your phone is protected even if you forget to lock it yourself.

4. Review Your App Permissions

When you install a new app, it often asks for permission to access parts of your phone, like your camera, microphone, contacts, or location. While some permissions are necessary for the app to function (a map app needs your location), many apps request far more access than they truly need.

Regularly reviewing these permissions is a great way to protect your privacy. It prevents apps from collecting data about you without your knowledge.

How to review permissions:

• On an iPhone: Go to Settings, then scroll down and tap on Privacy & Security. Here you will see a list of categories like Location Services, Contacts, and Microphone. Tap on each one to see which apps have requested access and turn off any that don’t seem necessary.
• On an Android Phone: Go to Settings, then tap Apps. From there, find Permission manager. This will show you a similar list by category, allowing you to see which apps can access your camera, files, and more. Revoke permissions for any app that doesn’t need them.

5. Turn On Automatic Software Updates

You’ve probably seen notifications on your phone or computer asking you to update your software. It can be tempting to ignore them, but these updates are critically important for your security.

Hackers are constantly looking for new flaws or vulnerabilities in software. When companies like Apple and Google discover these weaknesses, they release updates that patch the holes and protect you from potential attacks. Keeping your software up-to-date is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay safe.

How to ensure you’re always updated:

• On an iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap on Automatic Updates and make sure both “Download iOS Updates” and “Install iOS Updates” are turned on.
• On an Android Phone: The steps can vary slightly by manufacturer, but generally, you can go to Settings > System > System update. Look for an option to download updates automatically over Wi-Fi.

6. Be Cautious on Public Wi-Fi

Free public Wi-Fi at coffee shops, airports, and hotels is incredibly convenient, but it’s not always secure. Because these networks are open to anyone, they can be a prime target for hackers who may try to spy on your activity.

When you’re on a public network, it’s best to assume that someone else might be watching. You should avoid doing any sensitive activities, such as logging into your bank account, making online purchases with a credit card, or entering any passwords.

What to do instead:

• Use Your Cellular Data: For sensitive tasks, it’s much safer to turn off Wi-Fi and use your phone’s cellular data connection (4G or 5G). This connection is encrypted and private to you.
• Look for “HTTPS”: If you must use public Wi-Fi, only visit websites that are secure. You can tell a site is secure if the address starts with “https” (the “s” stands for secure) and has a small padlock icon next to it in your browser’s address bar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I forget my password manager’s master password? This is the one password you must never forget. Because password managers are built for security, they cannot recover your master password for you. When you set it up, write down your master password and store it in a physically secure location, like a locked safe at home. Some services offer recovery kits you can print out for this purpose.

How can I spot a phishing attempt? Phishing is when scammers send fake emails or texts pretending to be from a legitimate company to trick you into giving them your personal information. Watch for red flags like urgent warnings or threats, requests for passwords or financial details, generic greetings like “Dear Customer,” and links that look suspicious. When in doubt, never click the link. Instead, go directly to the company’s official website.