Overwhelmed by Cybersecurity? Focus on the Core Four

Maria always tried to stay safe online, but the endless advice left her feeling overwhelmed. She had heard she needed strong passwords, antivirus software, VPNs, firewalls, privacy settings, backups, and more. Unsure where to start, she began adjusting some of the technical settings on her Wi-Fi router, quickly became confused, and eventually gave up.

Later that day, Maria received an urgent text message that looked like it came from her bank. It warned that her account would be locked unless she confirmed her login immediately. Stressed and distracted, she clicked the link and entered her username and password. Within hours, cybercriminals were inside her bank account.

Because she reused the same password for other accounts—email, shopping sites, and even social media—the attackers quickly gained access to much of her digital life. Maria didn’t fall victim because she didn’t care—she fell victim because she didn’t know where to start.

The Core Four: Making Security Simple

Many people struggle with cybersecurity because it feels complicated and overwhelming. To address this, the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) created the Core Four—four simple but powerful actions that focus your effort where it matters most.

1. Strong, Unique Passwords (and a Password Manager)

Your passwords are the keys to your digital life. Cybercriminals constantly try to steal or guess them, and reusing the same password across multiple accounts makes the problem worse. One stolen password can unlock everything.

Use long, unique passwords. A passphrase—made up of several words—is easier to remember and harder to guess. Some services may also require a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
Use a password manager. These tools generate strong passwords, store them securely, and automatically fill them in when you log in. Think of a password manager as a personal security vault that saves time and reduces stress.

2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Even the strongest password is not enough on its own. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)—also called two-factor authentication or two-step verification—adds an extra layer of security by requiring something in addition to your password, such as a code sent to your phone, a fingerprint, or a security key.

If a cybercriminal steals your password, MFA can stop them from getting in. Enable MFA wherever it’s available, especially on your most important accounts.

3. Automatic Updates

Cybercriminals look for weaknesses in software and apps. When companies discover these flaws, they release updates to fix them. Delaying updates leaves known vulnerabilities open to attack.

The easiest solution is to enable automatic updates on your devices, apps, and accounts. Security fixes will be applied in the background, often without you needing to do anything.

Not all cyberattacks rely on technology. Many rely on manipulating people—a tactic known as social engineering. This includes phishing emails, fake text messages, and phone calls designed to trick you into clicking links, downloading malware, or sharing sensitive information.

Urgency: “Act now or lose access!”
Too good to be true: “You’ve won a prize!”
Requests for sensitive information: passwords, PINs, or bank details

When in doubt, stop, slow down, and verify before taking action.

Staying Safe Made Simple

Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on the Core Four, you can build habits that actually stick. Whether it’s your coworkers, kids, parents, or community, the Core Four provides a simple and effective way to help everyone stay safer online.

Guest Editor

Jennifer Cook is the Senior Director of Marketing at the National Cybersecurity Alliance. She leads the organization’s marketing strategy and oversees campaigns that engage millions of people worldwide. Since joining NCA in 2017, Jennifer has helped lead major initiatives such as Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Data Privacy Week. linkedin.com/in/jennifer-h-cook

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OUCH! is published by SANS Security Awareness and distributed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 license . You are free to share or distribute this newsletter as long as you do not sell or modify it.

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