New Year, New Me—or at least a more secure me this year!
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with cybersecurity professionals, and I’ve always taken pride in knowing enough to help keep myself and my friends a little more secure than the average bear.
However, that doesn’t mean I don’t fall into the same bad habits here and there that can lead to larger security issues – which is why every new year, I take a moment to think about some steps to safeguard my personal devices and information.
For 2025, here are my New Year’s resolutions to stay more secure.
Secure Mobile Payment Services
Mobile payment services offer a secure way to store credit cards, tickets and even hotel keys in the palm of your hand. Over the past year, I have become increasingly reliant on my mobile wallet for everyday and travel expenses, which means I have a centralized collection of financial and personal information directly on my phone.
Knowing that I will be upgrading to a new phone this year, my first resolution is to ensure I have multi-factor authentication turned on for mobile transactions (biometric or passkey) and to do a full factory reset on any old devices with payment information stored.
Use a Strong Password Manager
Password managers provide a secure and convenient way to store all your passwords in one centralized location, helping reduce password reuse. Many password managers also come with additional security features, such as VPNs, antivirus protection and passkeys.
I’ve been using a password manager for years, and each year, I recommend it to my friends and family as a great way to start the new year off right (they even make excellent holiday gifts!). They’re affordable, especially when considering the level of risk reduction they offer. However, it’s important to note that while web-based password managers may seem convenient, they might not provide the same level of security as more established password management providers.
Freeze Credit Cards
The holiday shopping season often means many consumers are using credit cards or signing up for new accounts. While credit cards are generally more secure than debit cards, they still carry risks if the information falls into the wrong hands.
That’s why, after the holiday season, I make it a point to review the statements for any credit cards I don’t use regularly and, more importantly, freeze them. Freezing a credit card is a quick, convenient and free way to protect it from unauthorized use, and it can easily be turned off and on via an app or by calling customer service.
So, take a few minutes to freeze any cards you don’t use regularly. Just be cautious of unsolicited communications asking for information related to unfreezing or freezing accounts—these are often scams.
As we enter 2025, let’s make it a goal to prioritize our data and security. Whether you’re making small adjustments or implementing new habits like securing mobile payments, using a password manager and freezing unused credit cards, every step counts toward keeping your personal information safe.
Here’s to a more secure year ahead!
About Schneider Downs Cybersecurity
The Schneider Downs cybersecurity practice consists of experts offering a comprehensive set of information technology security services, including penetration testing, intrusion prevention/detection review, ransomware security, vulnerability assessments and a robust digital forensics and incident response team. In addition, our Digital Forensics and Incident Response teams are available 24x7x365 at 1-800-993-8937 if you suspect or are experiencing a network incident of any kind.
To learn more, visit our dedicated Cybersecurity page.
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