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From organising travel to buying products, managing our finances to connecting with friends and family, there’s not much you can’t do online in 2025.
We rely on digital devices more than ever, but unfortunately, our online presence comes with a risk of cyber attacks.
Safeguarding your personal information is critical when operating online, as “cyber security breaches and attacks remain a common threat” says the government.
Here, we explore several ways you can protect your online security and stay ahead of potential risks.
Understand the latest cyber threats
To reduce your risk of falling victim to cyber threats, you first need to understand them.
Take some time to research the most common types of attacks, such as phishing, spoofing, viruses and ransomware and the signs to look out for.
The national campaign against fraud provides useful tips on how to recognise common tactics employed by cybercriminals.
For instance, messages may claim to be from a trusted source or authority, make urgent requests and elicit a strong emotional response like panic.
They could also have bad spelling and grammar, suspicious links or attachments, and incorrect email addresses.
The key is “always take time to stop, think and check if it’s real” before acting.
Strengthen your passwords
It’s pivotal to create strong passwords for every online account. This will reduce the risk of unauthorised access and data breaches.
Passwords should always be unique and contain a mixture of capital and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
To make this easier to implement, you can use a password manager. This can store each of your unique passwords which are protected by end-to-end encryption.
When you need to log into an account, the manager will autofill your details on any browser or device without needing to copy and paste.
Implement multi-layered security measures
To add another layer of security to your online data, set up two-factor authentication (2FA).
This makes it harder for cybercriminals to access your accounts as an additional form of verification is required when attempting to log in.
There are different types of 2FA. You may set up a password or PIN as the first step of verification, followed by a one-time code sent via email or text message as your second step.
You can also set up authenticator apps on your device which provide time-sensitive passcodes.
Another option is to set up biometric verification, which typically involves your fingerprint, face or voice.
By following strong password practices, implementing multiple layers of security and staying informed about cyber threats, you can help protect yourself from cybercriminals.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
