Most people’s lives have long had a significant digital share. The question of security in virtual space therefore affects practically everyone. But what is really necessary and useful for consumers in everyday life?
Between comfort and protection
In digitalization, the two topics of convenience and security are connected in opposite ways:
Many devices and software designed for private users are, at least in their default state, designed more for convenience than for security. The settings can often be changed towards greater security, but in many cases it depends on the user. The focus is not only on individual security awareness, but also on the willingness to forego some comfort and possibly delve deeper into an unknown digital topic.
The most important basic principles
Contrary to what many laypeople assume, very few cybercriminals are highly specialized IT experts who can overcome even the most complex protection mechanisms.
In fact, it is primarily opportunistic perpetrators who selectively search for vulnerabilities and specifically exploit them. Provide an interesting overview of perpetrator, target and victim profiles the excellent situation reports from the BKA.
This means the following for consumers:
People are the most important key element in virtually all forms of cybercrime. Therefore, every user has the power to make their life safer – without losing digital participation or the last bit of comfort.
Accounts and passwords
Accounts, ultimately the combination of an email address or a telephone number and a password, are necessary in many places. This makes them risky due to their sheer mass.
For example, anyone on a site can check whether his email address is already known Data leaks have been compromised.
The following tips should be taken into account on this major topic:
In addition:
Regardless of whether it is a social media app or a PayPal account, the data should always be entered manually to log in. At the end of use there is a conscious logout.
This security idea should definitely be extended to other digital activities. Anyone who runs a WordPress website should Apply 2FA here too – because if criminals are given admin rights, the operator can sometimes even face severe penalties if he or she has behaved grossly negligently.
Smartphone and apps
For most people, smartphones are important everyday companions that are irreplaceable for a variety of functions. However, this is precisely what makes them vulnerable. An important reason why you should never be permanently logged in, especially on these devices, is theft and loss.
Apart from that, the following tips apply:
Additionally, smartphones should be treated much like wallets. This means they should never be left unprotected and unattended in public.
Surfing, shopping and online services
This point affects practically everything that is done via the browser. Here, too, a few simple steps can greatly increase safety without major loss of comfort:
Depending on your personal user behavior, it may make sense to consider a VPN. By obscuring IP address and location, it can be extremely effective at preventing data leaks.
Smart home and other smart devices
Regardless of whether it is a smartwatch, home surveillance camera or other IoT devices: This usually involves very intimate information. In addition, the variety of devices and manufacturers is enormous.
The following tips apply:
Rules of thumb for everyday life
Unfortunately, complete security is never possible in the digital world. Users should therefore critically examine their movements in virtual space and weigh important factors:
In addition:
Even simple routines such as password control, regular updates and critical assessment “Do I really need this?“ can significantly increase digital security. This is also the basic rule of most experts: Something more security is always better than nothing at all to do.
October 7, 2025