The Top 6 Cybersecurity Tips in 2026

With the news of AI hacks flooding websites all over the world, you have likely found yourself questioning your online security—as you should. No longer are we living in the same digital age as we were merely a few years ago. With the advent of AI and the increasing concerns about quantum computers, it is time to update your online security practices.

Updating passwords, discontinuing SMS verification, and learning to recognize AI deepfakes are only a few of the top 6 cybersecurity tips professionals recommend adapting. Read on to learn more about the top 6 cybersecurity tips in 2026.

1. Use Numbers and Symbols in Your Passwords

Unfortunately, with AI, individuals are able to build even more efficient bots to crack passwords. No longer is your password in danger merely because you used your maiden name or the name of a pet, but now, if it is only letters, an AI bot has a 60% chance of cracking it in under an hour.

Although you’ve heard it before, the longer the password is, the better, and never reuse passwords. If you’re not using a password manager yet, now is the time to do so. And ensure that your strongest password is on your email account, because if a bot hacks this, they can reset everything.

2. Stop Using SMS 2FA

While SMS verification was once cutting-edge technology, it has become something of the past. Not only can bots spoof numbers and crack SMS 2FA, but a lot of SMS tech is easily hackable and interceptable by AI, meaning they don’t even have to spoof your number to capture the one-time code they need to access your account.

Unfortunately, the alternatives to 2FA aren’t the most user-friendly, which is why so many people still utilize the easily hackable SMS. That being said, we strongly recommend switching if you are able to do so.

The safest form of 2FA is a hardware key, a USB drive you would insert into your computer along with an input password; however, these aren’t always available, so the next best is a biometric 2FA method—as AI can’t replicate your fingerprint or Face ID yet. If you prefer not to use biometrics (we are the same), then push notification matching or an authenticator app are your next best bet; just ensure you password-protect these devices and apps as well.

3. Learn to Recognize AI

For so long, so many people have brushed off the harms of AI, choosing instead to laugh at AI images and enjoy the convenience of easy answers at their fingertips. Unfortunately, this has put many individuals in a bad place, where not only have they given AI their face, but they have left themselves unable to recognize what is real and what is fake.

Sadly, scammers are already taking advantage of this, using AI to emulate trusted people for elaborate phishing schemes, and convincing individuals and companies that it really is the person asking for access to data that can be stolen.

AI is getting better every day, but it’s critical to take the time to ensure you can recognize the signs of an AI image and AI-generated text. Not only that, but if you haven’t fed your image into AI, don’t do it. Most AI companies store images and other information for at least 30 days on their servers, and some store information for even longer. Of course, simple avoidance isn’t foolproof (as AI could probably also pull your image from your work website or a news article), but it will give AI less to work with. Remember, any information you feed into AI is learned by the bot and used to spit it out as a result.

4. Limit the Personal Information You Share Online

We know this one is a challenge, especially with the advent of social media, but these fun websites you can use to connect with your friends are data-mining machines. Have you ever wondered why you have a constant stream of videos that fit your exact taste? It’s because your algorithm knows you—and many of these apps mine data from other apps on your phone.

If you can, keep as much of your personal life offline as you can. Remember, if they’re really your friends, they’ll meet up so you can share in person.

5. Always Use a VPN and Avoid Public WIFI Networks

If you still aren’t using a VPN, it is high time you download one—both for your phone and computer. As much as it sucks, we recommend a high-quality paid VPN provider, as the free ones typically are not as secure.

Even with a VPN, modern sniffing devices in cafes and restaurants can still capture and steal information. So, if you do find yourself needing to use a public network, don’t visit your banking app or any other critical websites when you are on it. This is also why you should never use the same passwords for your banking app as for other apps.

6. Never Act Rashly

Most scammers prey on fear and other emotions, and the fact that you will act quickly without thinking. In fact, the most common scams on the internet can often be remedied simply by slowing down and taking a moment to think.

Remember, nothing is truly that urgent. Especially if they are sending an email. And if someone is calling you telling you they need a piece of your information right now, they will definitely hold, or allow you to call them back. Even if they are threatening arrest or other bodily harm, they can and will wait ten minutes while you take a deep breath and think about what they are actually saying.

Overall, the internet was always a scary place, and now with AI, it has only gotten scarier. So, heed these recommendations and try your best to bump up your internet security before something happens. And if they are already calling you, even if it sounds like your dad’s voice, tell them you need to hang up and call back.