The year 2020 made headlines for an increase in the number of cyber attacks, thanks in part to the world spending more time on the web as they waited out lockdowns. But despite many aspects of life returning to normal, the number of cyber attacks soared far above that of the previous year in 2021.

Protecting your digital footprint has never been harder — and it’s never been more important. If you’re ready to step up your online security in 2022, keep reading to learn a few simple ways to protect yourself.

Rethink Your Social Media Habits

In 2020, Americans spent an average of 1,300 hours on social media, Forbes reports. From posting pictures of your family vacation to sharing old memories or connecting with friends around the globe, social media can be a great tool, a big distraction and a security hazard.

There are a variety of ways that your information can be at risk on social media. Hackers may steal passwords and other personal info. Over-sharing can allow cybercriminals to learn your habits, possible passwords and more. Even if you’re aware of common phishing schemes and how to spot fake ads, it’s easy to accidentally click one while scrolling through your feed. 

Regularly updating your social media passwords, being careful about what you share and avoiding clicking links or responding to messages you aren’t certain about can help you to stay safe while still enjoying your favorite platform.

Switch to Incognito

Regardless of your browsing habits, switching over to incognito mode on your web browser can still help you to protect your personal information. There are a lot of misconceptions about what incognito mode really is. Despite popular beliefs, it doesn’t prevent everyone from seeing what you’re browsing. Your internet service provider still has access to your searches, and websites can often still see where you are located.

But browsing in incognito mode does help to reduce the amount of data that websites and businesses are gathering when you visit their sites. If you hate seeing ads on your Facebook feed for cars just after you finish browsing a used vehicle site, incognito mode can help with this.

Invest in Security

No matter how smart you are with your internet use, accidents still happen. And with cybercriminals getting smarter every year, it’s never been more important to have a second line of defense against hacks, malware and identity thieves.

Innovative monitoring technology and instant alerts mean that someone is watching your back on the web around the clock. Check out LifeLockpartner.com to learn how to protect your digital footprint in 2022.

Update Your Passwords Frequently

More than half of all individuals use the same passwords for their personal and work accounts. And over 23 million account holders use the password “123456.”

Using the same password for multiple accounts, using one that’s too easy to guess or failing to regularly update your passwords could increase your risk of being hacked. Experts recommend updating your passwords at least once every three months; more if the account holds sensitive personal information or vital work data.

Protecting Your Digital Footprint in 2022

Protecitng your digital footprint has never been more important. And while the number of attacks are increasing, and cybercriminals are getting sneakier with their tactics, it is still possible to protect yourself while browsing the web, using social media or working from home.