2025 has just begun, and many people are setting all sorts of goals for the year. They often include everything from joining a gym and eating healthier to the classics—quitting smoking and drinking. Many forget that the new year is also a great time to start building a cybersecurity routine that meets the demands of 2025. But why should we be cautious when it comes to cybersecurity? The simple answer is hackers and cybercriminals. Each year is worse than the last in terms of online attacks and scams, with the internet teeming with traps, fraud, and phishing campaigns. Safe online browsing is more challenging by the day.
That’s why, in this article, we’ll outline and explain the five cybersecurity resolutions you should make for 2025—because staying protected while browsing the web, using email, or working is crucial to keeping the new year from becoming a nightmare.
1. Perform Weekly Computer Scans
We can’t ignore the first step: ensuring our computer (desktop or laptop) is free from viruses, trojans, and other malware. Many people want to build their “house” from the roof down, but that’s not how it works. You must start from the bottom—cybersecurity begins with a clean, malware-free device. To ensure your computer’s security, start by using a scanning tool to detect any suspicious files or programs. You can rely on Windows’ built-in security features or, for enhanced protection, opt for a dedicated antivirus solution like Avast Free Antivirus.
Once you’ve done the initial scan and verified that your computer is malware-free, you’ll want to repeat the process at least once a week—say, on Monday mornings while checking your emails. That way, you’ll know if your system remains clean and trustworthy. This habit will help you maintain a secure environment on your device, reducing the risk of falling victim to the increasingly sophisticated malware and cyber threats that continue to evolve each year. Consistent scanning is the foundation of any good cybersecurity routine, and it’s a straightforward yet highly effective measure to protect your digital life.
2. Keep Software and Operating Systems Updated
One of the most common ways hackers infiltrate our computers is by exploiting known vulnerabilities in software and operating systems. Fortunately, the companies behind these products strive to update them continually. From in-house security teams to “white-hat hackers” who look for vulnerabilities, many people work together to keep programs and operating systems secure—whether it’s Microsoft Word, Windows 11, Google Chrome, or Photoshop. All software and OS get frequent updates to add new features and enhance cybersecurity.
That’s why, in 2025, we recommend that you consistently look for updates to all the programs you use daily—whether at work or at home—and update whenever possible. If you notice that an app you use regularly hasn’t been updated in a while, do a proactive check to see if there’s an update you missed. As a final tip, in Windows 10, Windows 11, and many other programs, you can configure the system to install updates as soon as they’re released without asking you first. This is almost always the safest option. By staying vigilant and keeping all your software up to date, you significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks exploiting outdated software vulnerabilities.
3. Prevent Phishing with Basic Precautions
Phishing attacks generally take the form of fraudulent emails, often posing as trusted individuals or organizations. The emails may request personal information or send links and attachments that lead to malicious websites or software—this type of attack scams millions of people every year around the world. Even seasoned professionals can be fooled by a well-crafted, high-level phishing attack; after all, anyone can make a momentary mistake. However, experts say that most phishing attempts are clumsy, aiming to trick less-savvy users into giving up whatever the criminals want.
For a healthier cybersecurity habit in 2025, implement “double verification.” Whenever you receive an email with a link: Check the email address to ensure it looks legitimate, and hover over the URL to verify it’s genuine. Go directly to the official page—your bank, Netflix, or any company in question—through your browser rather than clicking any link provided. Never download anything from that email. Cybercriminals can’t catch you off-guard if you use official sources and go to official websites. By maintaining a cautious approach to emails and links, you can avoid falling prey to these deceptive tactics and guard your sensitive information more effectively.
4. Regularly Create and Update Backups
Regularly backing up your data—and testing those backups—will reduce the impact and inconvenience of data loss due to theft, physical damage, or malicious software like ransomware. If someone attacks you and steals your information, you can dodge their ransom demands if you have a good, up-to-date backup. To make this a healthy habit in 2025, consider performing full backups of your systems and data. If backing up everything is too overwhelming, identify the key data you need to keep functioning and decide how often you need to back it up. Experts recommend doing it every two weeks, at least.
Of course, store these backups in a different location than your original data—whether in the cloud, on external hard drives, or even on USB sticks or older computers at home that you barely use. This redundancy ensures that even if your primary data source is compromised, you still have access to your critical information. Regular backups provide peace of mind and a safety net, allowing you to recover swiftly from potentially devastating cyberattacks or data loss incidents. Make it a routine to back up your data, and always store them securely away from the primary system.
5. Install a Trustworthy Antivirus on Your Devices
Hackers frequently breach our computers by exploiting known software and operating system vulnerabilities. Fortunately, companies continually strive to update these products. From in-house security teams to “white-hat hackers” seeking vulnerabilities, numerous individuals collaborate to keep programs and operating systems secure—whether it’s Microsoft Word, Windows 11, Google Chrome, or Photoshop. Regular updates for software and OS add new features and enhance cybersecurity.
That’s why in 2025, we recommend consistently checking for updates to all programs you use daily, whether at work or home, and updating them whenever possible. If you notice that a frequently used app hasn’t been updated recently, proactively check for missed updates. As a final tip, in Windows 10, Windows 11, and many other programs, you can configure the system to automatically install updates upon release. This is usually the safest option. By staying vigilant and keeping all your software up to date, you significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks exploiting outdated software vulnerabilities.
