New Year, Stronger Security

December 31, 2025 · IT Security, Privacy, Productivity, Tip's & Tricks

5 IT Security Resolutions Everyone Can Make in the New Year

During this week’s KFGO tech segment, we leaned into the timing. A new year is a perfect excuse to reset habits, including how we protect our digital lives. The good news is you do not need to be a tech expert to make meaningful improvements. A few smart changes can dramatically reduce your risk.

Here are five realistic IT security resolutions that almost anyone can follow, along with why they matter and how to put them into practice.

1. Turn On Two-Factor Authentication Everywhere You Can

Why it matters
Passwords alone are no longer enough. If a password is stolen in a breach, attackers can log in instantly. Two-factor authentication adds a second check that blocks most account takeovers.

How to do it
Enable two-factor authentication on email, social media, banking, shopping, and work accounts. Use an authenticator app instead of text messages whenever possible.

Good options include Microsoft Authenticator and Google Authenticator. These generate time-based codes that are far more secure than SMS.

2. Use Long, Unique Passwords with a Password Manager

Why it matters
Reusing passwords is one of the fastest ways attackers move from one account to many. If one site is compromised, everything else using that password is at risk.

How to do it
Aim for passwords that are 16 characters or longer and never reused. That sounds hard until you use a password manager.

We recommend Bitwarden. It is open source, free for most users, and regularly audited by the cybersecurity community. It creates and stores strong passwords for you, so you only need to remember one master password.

If you visit kfgo.darkhorseit.c o m, you will always find our pinned blog post showing how to set up and use Bitwarden step by step.

3. Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi

Why it matters
Public Wi-Fi at coffee shops, hotels, and airports is convenient, but it is also easy to spy on. Attackers can intercept traffic or trick your device into connecting to fake networks.

How to do it
Use a virtual private network when you are on public Wi-Fi. A VPN encrypts your traffic so others on the same network cannot see what you are doing.

We recommend NordVPN for most people unless you already have your own firewall-based VPN and the upload speed to support it. If you want to save a little money, you can use this referral link:
https://refer-nordvpn.com/lTgbdRQTFiw

4. Make Backups a Habit

Why it matters
Ransomware, hardware failure, accidental deletion, and even theft can wipe out important data instantly. Backups are what turn a disaster into an inconvenience.

How to do it
At a minimum, back up important files to an external drive. Even better is using both local and cloud backups so you are protected from multiple failure scenarios.

There are many good options available, and we also offer backup solutions for both home and business users if you want help setting something reliable up.

5. Lock Your Credit and Learn a Few Power-User Tricks

Why it matters
Data breaches are not just about passwords. Stolen personal information can be used for financial fraud and identity theft. Locking your credit makes it much harder for criminals to open accounts in your name.

How to do it
Freeze or lock your credit with the major credit bureaus. We covered this in detail in a previous blog post here:
https://kfgo.darkhorseit.com/protecting-your-financial-future-after-the-social-security-hack/

While you are at it, learn a few simple computer shortcuts and tricks that can save time and reduce mistakes. This blog is a great place to start:
https://kfgo.darkhorseit.com/windows-power-user-tips-keyboard-shortcuts-that-save-you-time/

Wrap-Up

You do not need to do everything at once. Even one or two of these changes will noticeably improve your security posture in the new year. Start small, build momentum, and make security part of your routine.

If you ever want help putting any of this into place, DarkHorse IT works with both business and residential clients. You can find us at https://darkhorseit.com, follow along with the weekly blog at https://kfgo.darkhorseit.com, or catch the show live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/darkhorseit.

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