Guide

Stay safe while using your computer: simple steps anyone can take

You don’t need to be an expert to stay safe online. A handful of simple habits stop the most common scams and break-ins, and each one takes minutes to set up.

By Hyper Tech TeamUpdated 8 October 2026First published 17 October 2024

Use a different password for every account

When one website is broken into, criminals try the same email and password everywhere else. A different password for each account stops that.

A password manager remembers them for you: the one built into your browser or phone, or a free one such as Bitwarden. Then you only need to remember one strong password: three random words together are easy to remember and hard to guess.

Turn on two-step sign-in

Two-step sign-in (also called two-factor authentication) asks for a code from your phone as well as your password. Even if someone learns your password, they can’t get in without your phone.

Turn it on for your email first, because email resets every other password; then your bank and shopping.

Keep everything up to date

Updates close the holes criminals use. Let Windows or macOS, your browser and your apps update themselves.

Windows 10 reached the end of its free support in October 2025, so a computer still on Windows 10 no longer gets free security fixes. If yours can’t move to Windows 11, ask us what makes sense.

Spot scam emails, texts and calls

Be wary of any message you weren’t expecting that asks you to click a link, pay, or sign in.
Your bank will never ask for your PIN or your full password, or ask you to move money to a “safe account”.
A caller who says your computer has a problem and asks to connect to it is a scammer. Hang up.
Not sure? Contact the company yourself, using the number on your card, bill or their own website.

Forward scam texts to 7726 (it’s free) and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. If you have lost money or given details away, call your bank straight away, then report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040.

Antivirus: what you actually need

Windows comes with Microsoft Defender (in Windows Security), and for most people at home it is enough, as long as it is switched on and up to date. Be wary of pop-ups saying your protection has expired and asking you to pay: many are scams.

Wi-Fi at home and out and about

At home, change the router’s admin password from the one printed on it, and keep the router updated.
On public Wi-Fi in cafés and stations, avoid banking and shopping; use your phone’s mobile data instead.

Back up your photos and documents

A backup is the one thing that saves your files when a drive fails, a laptop is stolen or a scam locks your files away. Use a cloud backup, an external drive, or both, and check now and then that it is still running.

Lock your computer when you walk away

On Windows, press the Windows key and L together. On a Mac, press Control, Command and Q. It takes a second, and nobody can use your accounts while you are away.

Your date of birth, your address and your pet’s name are often the answers to security questions. Keep them off public profiles, and check who can see what you post.