5 Security Resolutions for 2025 to Stay Protected Online

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.

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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. Scan Your Computer Every Week

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.

2. Keep Software Up to Date: Operating System and Applications

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 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.

3. Avoid Phishing by Following These Basics

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:

1. Check the email address to ensure it looks legitimate, and hover over the URL to verify it’s genuine.
2. 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.

4. Make and Update Backups Regularly

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.

5. Install a Reliable Antivirus on Your Computer or Laptop

Finally, we can’t overlook the most recommended habit to incorporate in 2025: installing a trusted, high-quality antivirus on your devices.

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While most operating systems come with built-in security tools, nothing beats having a dedicated antivirus to ensure you’re protected 100% of the time—whether you’re working or watching movies. The antivirus runs in the background, continuously verifying that everything is safe.We recommend Avast Free Antivirus because it has over 20 years of proven history and expertise—and has consistently shown itself to be one of the smartest and most secure options on the market. You can download it via this link if you’re interested.