A New Year, A Safer You: 10 Resolutions for a Secure and Affordable New Year

We couldn’t let 2024 pass without reminding you about the importance of prioritizing digital safety.

Cybercriminals are active year-round, but the Holiday season and New Year present unique risks, from phishing scams to vulnerabilities in outdated software.

While cybersecurity sounds too complex for many netizens, it can be simple, budget-friendly, and effective—no technical expertise required!

To help you get started on your cybersafety journey, we’re counting down 10 easy-to-implement steps to safeguard your digital life.

1. Start the New Year With Strong Passwords For All Your Online Accounts

Passwords are your first line of defense against account takeover and fraud. As your first resolution, give each account a unique and complex password to make it harder for hackers to compromise them. Use passphrases you can easily remember or rely on a trusted password manager to generate and store them securely for you

Remember: No recycled or reused passwords are allowed!

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Everywhere

Wherever possible, add an extra layer of protection by enabling 2FA. This simple step makes it much harder for someone who steals your password to access your accounts and abuse personal or financial information. You can also use app-based authenticators like Google Authenticator instead of SMS for added security.

3. Secure Your Devices with Antivirus Software

Protecting your devices doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Bitdefender Free Antivirus offers robust protection against malware and viruses, keeping your devices safe without slowing them down. Download and install it on all your devices today.

For more comprehensive protection and additional features, check out our all-in-one plans, here.

4. Avoid Holiday Scams with Bitdefender Scamio

Cybercriminals ramp up their efforts during the holiday season. If your resolution is to stay scam-free in the New Year, use Bitdefender Scamio our AI-based tool that helps you spot and avoid scams, from phishing emails to fake shopping websites.

You can chat with Scamio for FREE directly on  WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, web browser or Discord. You can also help others stay safe by sharing our localized versions of Bitdefender Scamio with them in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia, and the UK.

5. Audit Your Digital Presence

Take a moment to review your online accounts, including shopping sites, social media, and streaming services. If you find accounts you no longer use, deactivate/delete them to help reduce your digital footprint and avoid misuse. Check the privacy settings on the ones you keep and refrain from sharing personal information whenever possible.

To streamline this process, use Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection. This dedicated identity protection service will help you track and manage your online presence and find old accounts linked to as many as five email addresses. Besides showing you a complete and comprehensive mapping of your digital footprint, Digital Identity Protection will monitor for data breaches in real time and show what data has already been exposed.

Read more: Why you should delete old accounts you no longer use

6. Keep Software and Devices Up to Date

Updates for your apps and operating systems often include critical security patches. Turn on automatic updates for your operating system, apps, and devices to ensure you’re protected against the latest threats.

Security solutions like Bitdefender Total Security automatically checks for vulnerabilities and outdated software on your Windows PC to help effectively patch.

7. Think Before You Click

A small act, like pausing to think before you click, can make all the difference. Scammers love to use enticing links and attachments or rush you into quick decisions to defraud you or steal your information. Take your time to evaluate the information and double-check offers and requests, whether they come via emails, texts, or ads on social media.

Speaking of thinking before clicking, check out or holiday-themed scam articles for more insights on how to avoid them:

Personalized Gift Scams: What Last-Minute Shoppers Need to Know to Stay Safe

Top 8 Christmas Scams: Tips on How to Stay Safe This Holiday Season

Scam Alert: Fake Jewelry Store Ads Exploit Heart-Felt Stories to Steal Your Money

BBB Warns The ‘Secret Sister’ Gift Exchange is a Holiday Scam

8. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

Your home Wi-Fi is like a gateway to all of your devices and the data they hold. Change the default router password to something stronger and enable WPA3 encryption if your router supports it. This helps keep hackers and snoops at bay.

9. Back Up Your Data Regularly

Never wait for a cyberattack or hardware failure to learn the importance of backing up your data. You can back up important files on the cloud or invest in an external hard drive for extra security.

In case of data loss due to a ransomware attack, Bitdefender’s Ransomware Remediation module allows you to restore critical files and encrypted data with just a few clicks.

10. Commit to Cybersecurity Education

Many organizations, including Bitdefender, offer free guides, webinars, and blogs to keep you informed.

Follow trusted cybersecurity blogs like Bitdefender's HotforSecurity to stay informed about new scams and threats regularly. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter, too! We provide valuable insights daily and keep you in the know about the latest scam trends, malware campaigns, and privacy issues so you and your loved ones remain safe.

Cybersecurity on a Budget: Affordable Tips for Holiday Safety

High-quality cybersecurity doesn’t have to break the bank. Bitdefender offers free tools like:

• Bitdefender Free Antivirus: Comprehensive protection for all your devices.
• Bitdefender Scamio: Helps detect and avoid scams during the high-risk holiday season.
• Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Android: Protects your Android devices with lightweight, efficient security.
• Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac: Offers a free and easy way to scan your Mac for malware.
• Bitdefender Link Checker: A free tool that verifies URLs to help you avoid malware, phishing attempts, and counterfeit websites.
  • Scan for threats: AI-powered “small engines” analyze the URL for potential risks.
  • Cross-reference: The tool checks the URL against up-to-date security databases and evaluates the site’s behavior.
  • Give verdict: Provides a trustworthiness score within seconds.

We also offer free trials for all-in-one security packs, allowing you to test premium features for 30 days. These comprehensive solutions provide advanced protection and multiple privacy tools, including VPN, password manager and digital identity protection.

A New Year, A Safer Digital You!

By following these resolutions and tips, you set yourself up for a safer, more secure 2025. We provide free and budget-friendly solutions so you can enjoy peace of mind without stretching your budget.

Here’s to a cyber-safe New Year! Start implementing these resolutions today and share them with your loved ones to spread the gift of digital security.