What is Digital Hygiene? 6 Essential Practices to Stay Safe Online

"Digital hygiene" simply means practicing smart, safe habits online. Just like washing your hands prevents illness, these simple routines are your best defence against most common cyber threats.

Core Principles of Safe Online Behaviour

• Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages.
  Never open attachments or click links from unknown senders. Be wary of messages creating false urgency, like "Your account is suspended!" or "You've won a prize!". This is the #1 way viruses and scams spread.
• Check the URL Before You Click.
  Hover your mouse over a link to see the actual web address. Scammers often use URLs that look legitimate but are misspelled (e.g., "anz-bank.co" instead of "anz.co.nz"). If it looks suspicious, don't click it.
• Read Popups Before You "Accept".
  It's tempting to quickly click "Accept and Continue" on cookie banners or permission popups. Take a second to read what you're agreeing to. If you're on a dodgy site, you could be agreeing to invasive tracking or unwanted notifications.
• Use Strong, Unique Passwords.
  Don't use the same password for every website. If one site gets breached, all your accounts are at risk. A password manager is an excellent tool for securely storing complex passwords.
• Keep Your Software Updated.
  When your computer or phone prompts you to update, do it. These updates frequently contain critical security patches that protect you from the latest known threats.
• "If in Doubt, Leave it Out."
  This is the best policy. Nothing online is so urgent that it requires an immediate, risky click. If an email seems important but suspicious, the sender will find another way to contact you. A phone call is for urgency; email is not.

The Bottom Line

Technology can only protect you so far. The most powerful security tool is your own awareness. By practicing these simple habits, you dramatically reduce your risk of falling victim to the vast majority of online threats, often making expensive third-party antivirus software unnecessary.