5 Everyday Habits That Make You a Target for Cybercriminals (And How to Stop Them)

Let’s face it: navigating the internet can feel a bit like trying to avoid landmines in a field of daisies. One wrong click and suddenly you've blown up your computer (or, worse, one or multiple online accounts you have, including financial). Don’t worry, I’m not here to judge. We’ve all been there—it's a bit of a jungle out there. But it's dangerous, nonetheless. So, let’s walk through five everyday habits that might be making you a target for cybercriminals and, more importantly, how you can outsmart them.

1. Using Weak or Reused Passwords

You know that one password you’ve been using since high school? Yeah, the one with your pet’s name and your favorite number? Well, it’s time to give that a proper send-off. Using weak passwords, or reusing the same passwords over and over is like leaving a sign on all your doors that says, “The spare key is under the fake rock on the front porch!”

Why It’s Risky: Cybercriminals have a nifty little trick called “credential stuffing,” where they use stolen usernames and passwords from one site to break into other accounts. If you’re reusing passwords (especially weak or easily guessed ones), you’re basically handing them the keys to your digital kingdom.

What to Do Instead: Start using strong, unique passwords for each account. And before you panic at the thought of remembering them all, let me introduce you to the hero of our story: a password manager. These handy tools generate and store strong passwords for you, so you can finally lay that “Fluffy123” password to rest. I recommend Keeper Security, and you can get it here: https://www.keepersecurity.com/

2. Clicking on Unverified Links

We’ve all been there. You get an email from what looks like your bank, telling you there’s a problem with your account. Panic sets in, and before you know it, you’ve clicked on the link without a second thought. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what cybercriminals are counting on.

Why It’s Risky: Phishing scams are designed to trick you into clicking on a link that looks legitimate but actually leads to a fake website. Once there, you might unknowingly hand over your login details, which the scammers can then use to drain your bank account or steal your identity.

What to Do Instead: Before you click on any link, take a deep breath. Hover over the link to check where it’s actually going. If something seems off, don’t click. Instead, go directly to the website in question by typing the URL into your browser or use their official app.

3. Failing to Update Software and Devices

If you’re the type to hit “Remind me later” every time a software update pops up, I get it. Those reminders can be annoying. But here’s the thing: skipping updates is like leaving the door unlocked because you’re too comfy on the couch. It’s just not worth the risk.

Why It’s Risky: Software updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. By not updating, you’re leaving your devices exposed to these known flaws.

What to Do Instead: Set your devices to update automatically. It’s the digital equivalent of installing a security system and then forgetting about it—your devices will stay protected without you lifting a finger.

4. Sharing Too Much Personal Information Online

Remember that time you posted a picture of your new driver’s license on social media? Or maybe you’ve shared your pet’s name, your birthday, and the street you grew up on in one of those fun “Get to Know Me” quizzes? Yeah, those are gold mines for cybercriminals.

Why It’s Risky: Cybercriminals can use the personal information you share online to answer security questions, guess your passwords, or even craft convincing phishing attacks targeted specifically at you.

What to Do Instead: Limit what you share online. Review your privacy settings on social media and think twice before posting sensitive information. It’s fun to share life’s little details and take quizzes, but some things are better kept offline. You never know who's reading it and keeping that info.

5. Using Public Wi-Fi Without Protection

Ah, the allure of free Wi-Fi at your favorite coffee shop—it’s strong. But here’s the thing: public Wi-Fi is a playground for cybercriminals. There's another activity I can think of that you wouldn't want to do unprotected with strangers, and I'll just leave it at that.

Why It’s Risky: Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, which means that anyone on the same network can potentially intercept the data you’re sending and receiving. That includes everything from your emails to your online banking information.

What to Do Instead: Use your own smartphone as a mobile hot spot if you can. If you have to use public wifi, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting to public Wi-Fi. A VPN encrypts your data, making it much harder for anyone to snoop on your online activities. I recommend Proton VPN or Nord VPN for personal use: https://protonvpn.com/ or https://nordvpn.com

Final Thoughts

Look, cybercriminals are crafty, but you can be smarter. By ditching these risky habits and adopting safer ones, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming easy targets. The truth is that cybersecurity isn’t just for IT pros; it’s something we can all manage with a little knowledge and a lot of common sense. If you’re ever in doubt, stay skeptical, stay updated, and keep your passwords strong.

Bonus points! Ensure you setup "multifactor authentication" (MFA) for all of your accounts so that you have to verify every login. And, by the way, Keeper Security (mentioned above) can be used as your MFA tool as well.