Learn the Basics

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The Three Things That Matter Most

Focus on these three areas and you’ll be safer than 90% of people online.

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1. Protect Your Passwords 🔑

Your passwords are the keys to your digital life. If someone gets them, they can access your bank, your email, your photos—everything.

The simple rules:

• Use different passwords for different sites — If one site gets hacked, you don’t want criminals trying that password everywhere else
• Make them long — “MyDogLovesToRunAtThePark” is stronger than “P@ssw0rd!”
• Turn on two-factor authentication — This sends a code to your phone when you log in, so even if someone steals your password, they can’t get in without your phone

“I can’t remember all these passwords!”

That’s normal. Use a password manager — it remembers them for you. Your phone probably has one built in (Apple Keychain or Google Password Manager). You just remember one master password.

Full guide: Protect Your Passwords →

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2. Spot Scams Before They Get You 🎣

Most security problems don’t start with fancy hacking. They start with someone being tricked. Scammers are clever, but they use the same tricks over and over.

The warning signs:

• Urgency — “Act now!” “Your account will be closed!” Scammers want you panicking, not thinking.
• Threats — “You’ll be arrested!” No real company or government agency operates like this.
• Too good to be true — Amazing deals, surprise prizes, perfect strangers who fall in love with you.
• Unusual payment requests — Gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. No legitimate business uses these.

The golden rule:

If someone contacts you about money or personal information, hang up and contact the company yourself using a number you find independently (on their website, your card, or their app).

Full guide: Common Scams to Watch For →

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3. Keep Your Devices Updated 📱

This one is easy and most people skip it. Updates fix security holes that criminals know how to exploit.

What to do:

• Turn on automatic updates — Your phone and computer can handle this while you sleep
• Don’t ignore update notifications — That “remind me later” button is tempting, but updates matter
• Update your apps too — Not just your phone’s main software

Why it matters: Many attacks target old security holes that updates already fixed. Being up-to-date closes those doors.

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Quick Wins You Can Do Today

These take less than 5 minutes each:

• Turn on automatic updates on your phone
• Check that your email has two-factor authentication turned on
• Make sure your phone has a screen lock (PIN, fingerprint, or face)
• Look at your bank’s recent transactions for anything you don’t recognize

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Common Questions

“I’m not important enough to be targeted.”

Scammers don’t target individuals—they target everyone at once. They send millions of messages hoping a tiny percentage respond. If you have a phone number or email address, you’re on the list.

“I’m too old/young to learn this stuff.”

Age has nothing to do with it. These skills are simpler than most technology. If you got to this webpage, you can learn this.

“My family member handles all the tech stuff for me.”

It’s great to have help! But knowing the basics yourself protects you when they’re not around. You don’t need to become an expert—just learn enough to recognize danger.

“I don’t have anything worth stealing.”

Scammers want:

• Access to your accounts (to scam your contacts)
• Your identity (for fraud)
• Small amounts of money from many victims (it adds up)
• Your computer (to attack others)

Everyone has something worth protecting.

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The Guides

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Test What You’ve Learned

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Ready to Get Secure?

The best next step is to lock down your important accounts. It takes about 30 minutes and we’ll walk you through every step.

Secure My Accounts →