Your ultimate guide to cybersecurity: Protecting your family in the digital world

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In today’s digital landscape, anyone can be targeted by cybercriminals. With so much of our lives happening online, from social connections to schoolwork, having a robust cybersecurity plan is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Whether you’re just starting to think about your family’s online safety or looking for an update on best practices, cybersecurity is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve put together this detailed guide to create the best cybersecurity plan to fit your family’s needs.

Why cybersecurity is important for families

Breach of cyber security can lead to devastating consequences for families. A cyber attack could cost your family not only money, but also an immense amount of time, feelings of insecurity and emotional stress. Protecting your family is about ensuring their safety and resilience in the digital age, and it’s something that’s hard to do on your own without the right tools. Here are the types of threats you should keep in mind:

Common cyber threats

• Phishing attacks: Fraudulent emails or messages designed to steal sensitive information.

• Ransomware: Malicious software that locks your files until a ransom is paid.

• Data breach: Unauthorized access to personal data such as names, addresses and payment information.

• Online scams: fake websites and offers targeting unsuspecting users.

• Identity theft: Abuse of your personal information for financial gain.

Understanding these threats is the first step to building an effective cybersecurity strategy for your family.

Key safety practices to keep in mind

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) has developed core mitigation strategies to help protect against cyber attacks. These include:

1. Patch Applications and Operating Systems: Regular updates help keep your devices safe.
2. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
3. Limit Administrative Privileges: Limit who can make major changes to devices.
4. Backup Data: Make sure important family documents and mementos are safe.

If this list feels overwhelming, don’t worry. Even simple steps like using strong passwords and being cautious online make a big difference.

Build a robust cybersecurity plan for your family

1. Assess your Risk
Start by identifying what needs protection. For families, this could include:

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• Personal data: Names, addresses and financial information.

• Digital memories: Photos, videos and important documents.

• Devices: Smartphones, tablets, laptops and smart home gadgets.

2. Implement strong access controls
Limit access to sensitive data based on roles and responsibilities in your family. Consider:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Requires additional verification steps beyond a password.

• Role-Based Access Control: Teach children appropriate Internet use based on their age.

• Regular password updates: Use strong and unique passwords for all accounts.

3. Secure Your Home Network
Your home network is the backbone of your family’s cybersecurity. Protect it from:

• Use strong Wi-Fi passwords: Make sure your router uses WPA3 encryption.

• Firewall settings: Add an extra layer of protection.

• Using a VPN: Help encrypt your Internet connections, especially for remote work and school activities.

4. Stay up to date

Outdated software and systems are prime targets for cyberattacks. Update regularly:

• Operating Systems: : Apply security patches as they become available.

• Applications: Keep all the software on your current family’s devices.

• Antivirus programs: Help fight new threats with the latest antivirus software.

5. Educate your family
Human error is a leading cause of cybersecurity breaches. Conduct regular discussions to educate your family about:

• Acknowledgment phishing attempts.

• Practice safe browsing habits.

• Responsible processing of personal data.

A culture of awareness reduces the likelihood of accidental breaches. PCMag is a good place to start here, as we report on top-level changes around security systems, trends and high-profile data breaches. For a curated collection of short articles focused on personal safety, a great resource is the Norton 360 Blog.

6. Back Up Your Data
Frequent backups it will help protect against data loss during ransomware attacks or hardware failures. For a simple memory device, follow Rule 3-2-1:

• Keep up 3 copies of your data.

• Keep it on 2 different media (eg cloud and external drives).

• Keep up 1 offsite backup.

To be more secure, make sure the backups are encrypted and tested for recovery.

Helping to safeguard your family requires a comprehensive cybersecurity plan and the right tools. A robust security suite, such as Norton 360, helps provide real-time threat protection, a VPN, password management, dark web monitoring, and more. Such tools make managing your family’s cybersecurity much easier.

For 2025, PCMag Australia recommends Norton 360 Premium. As a simple solution for 5 devices, Norton 360 Premium helps provide Real-Time Threat Protection, Secure VPN, Password Manager, Dark Web Monitoring, Cloud Backup for Windows PCs, and more. Norton 360 Premium regularly performs well in our internal lab tests, and it comes from Norton — a 56-time PCMag Editors’ Choice winner.

By assessing risks, using the best tools, educating your family, and staying informed, you can help protect your loved ones from evolving threats. Remember, cybersecurity is not a one-time effort, but an ongoing commitment to digital security. Information is king, and having the right software makes things much more manageable. For more information on Norton 360, check out their websiteor our full PCMag review of Editors’ Choice Winner Norton 360 Deluxe here.