Cybersecurity in the Time of Your Morning Coffee

This information is also available on my YouTube Channel at: https://youtu.be/YTfJ3gJ0nuI    

If you prefer, you can also listen to this information onhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/norbert-g my Podcast at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/69dsKtJ0qyqK4Ym50hIJ6i?si=M94dD04JR8O8SvrCsfL4RQ

☕🔐Hey there, early birds -  Before the emails start flying and the to-do list takes over, let’s spend the next few minutes doing a quick cybersecurity check—just you, your coffee, and a little peace of mind.

First thing’s first—check your security apps - Yep, that little antivirus program named Avast you forgot was even installed? 

Open it up - Make sure it says something reassuring like 'You're protected' and not 'Please, help me, I’m outdated!'

If there’s an update, hit that button - Security tools are only as good as their latest updates.

Next, let’s give your Wi-Fi router a little spa moment. A weekly reboot keeps it healthy and can patch up minor issues. Just unplug it, count to 30—maybe take a sip of that coffee—and plug it back in. It’s like giving your network a power nap.

Now it’s time to hit the updates. Open your phone, your laptop, your tablet—anything with a screen—and check for system and app updates. Outdated apps can be like unlocked doors. Updates are the security guard saying, 'Hey, buddy, you can’t just walk in here.'

Speaking of locked doors—let’s talk passwords. No, you don’t have to change them weekly (please don’t), but check your password manager. Make sure nothing’s expired, and for the love of cybersecurity, if you’re still using '123456'—we need to have a serious chat.

Oh, and don’t forget two-factor authentication! That’s the text code or app prompt that says, 'Are you really trying to log in?' It’s one of the best defenses you’ve got. Turn it on wherever it’s available—especially for email, banking, and cloud accounts.

While you're at it, take a quick peek at your browser extensions. Anything weird or that you don’t remember installing? Remove it immediately - If you didn’t put it there, it doesn’t need to be there.

Lastly, check that your data is being backed up. Whether it’s the cloud, an external drive, or both—make sure your stuff is safe. Because if something does go wrong, a backup means you’re annoyed, not devastated.

And that’s it! Cyber check complete before your coffee even gets cold. You’re now officially more secure than most people on the internet—and probably still wearing pajamas. Nice work!

Set a reminder for next week, and make it a habit. Because five minutes a week beats five days of dealing with a hacked account.

And that’s it—quick, simple, and done before your coffee even thinks about getting cold. You’ve just locked down your digital life with a weekly habit that takes less time than scrolling your morning news feed. Stay smart, stay safe, stay secure, and as always—keep your coffee strong and your passwords stronger. 

(AI was used to aid in the creation of this article.)

“I’ll see you again soon. Thanks for reading, watching, and listening — and hey, don’t be a stranger!👋”