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30 Security Measures That Everyone Should Take Far More Seriously, As Shared In This Thread
Security is—and always has been—a core concern for human beings. Even though we’re far less concerned about finding shelter and fending off saber-tooth tigers these days, the modern world brings a bunch of new worries, mainly due to the advances in technology.
The members of the sprawling AskReddit community recently spilled the beans about the security measures that they believe everyone should take, but often don’t. Scroll down to read their thoughts, including physical safety, how to avoid scams, and reminders to back up your important files and update your passwords.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Not posting pictures of our vacations while actively on them, wait till you’re home.
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#2
The same people who scream the government is tracking them are the same people who will install a tracking app on their phones to get a discount at a store they visit once.
#3
Please don't answer those "fun questions" on Facebook that originate from some random group you've never heard of before, like "Who was your first grade teacher?" "Your first concert?", etc. These are generally password reset questions.
Green Tree 5 days ago
Facebook itself is very creepy, it's shocking how much personal information people put out there. I deleted in 2015 and would never go back, once the veil was pulled from my eyes on how weird and invasive Facebook is I couldn't unsee it
According to Statista, data breaches—security incidents that expose confidential and sensitive information to unauthorized parties—rank among the top concerns company leaders have. In the third quarter of 2024 alone, 422.61 million data records were leaked in breaches. This impacted millions of people globally.
“These incidents are complex; they impact individuals, organizations, and government entities, sometimes simultaneously. Because of how precious human attention is, companies want to have as much information as possible about consumers, and they're ready to pay a high amount of money to those who gather this information. Thus, individuals’ personal data goes a long way, and can end up in the hands of cybercriminals,” Statista explains.
AAG reports that, in 2024, data breaches cost the average business a whopping $4.88 million. In the United Kingdom, around half of all businesses experienced some form of cyber attack in 2023. In the first half of 2022, over 236 million ransomware attacks occurred around the world. And back in 2021, around half of American internet users had their accounts breached.
#4
Take your phone camera and walk through your house, recording everything. Open drawers and cabinets. Show closets. Move things around. Do this every few months. Save the video somewhere as a backup.
If you ever have a house fire or are burglarized, you now have a record of everything that was in your house at that specific time. It makes processing an insurance claim much easier.
#5
Be aware of your surroundings when outside. Every now and again just take a glance behind you and to the sides. It's surprising the amount of people that are just oblivious to the world around them.
Geoffrey Scott 5 days ago
Was at a sporting event, and urged al males in the group to transfer wallet to front pocket to lessen a pickpocket's ability.
#6
Stop wearing headphones or air pods all the time. Being able to hear what's around you might save your life.
Bernd Herbert 5 days ago
Ourside maybe, but I'll be damned if had to listen to all that c**p around me in a train, bus or plane
Cybersecurity and scams are massive concerns. The former has been an issue since the dawn of the computer age, while the latter are as old as time itself. And it’s likely that the fight against scammers and other malicious actors will never be won.
As technology improves, criminals get access to new tools and come up with new ways to weasel people out of their hard-earned cash and private data. However, security professionals come up with new security protocols, too.
Meanwhile, the general public learns about the top news scams to be wary of… while falling prey to even newer ones. It’s a never-ending battle.
#7
We should back up our files more often.
Rachel Pelz 5 days ago
It's a bit like flossing. You know it would be better to do it as routine, but knowing isn't doing it.
#8
Locking the car door as soon as you are in the car. Locking the car when you are filling up gas. Don’t leave valuables in the car overnight/lock the car. .
#9
Stop walking on the wrong side of the road. You walk *against* traffic, you bike *with* it. And don’t do it side by side. And don’t do it with headphones in, that only leaves taste, smell, and touch as your available senses to tell if a car is coming.
One recent concern that has been popping up in casual conversations is that scammers might use artificial intelligence tools to clone your voice or those of your loved ones in order to upgrade their phone scams. Phone scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency during calls. If they have access to the voices of the people you trust, this could vastly expand the number of potential targets.
It’s one thing to hear a stranger saying they’re a relative of yours and that they’ve been in an accident. It’s another thing entirely when that stranger is generating text using your relative’s voice. In these situations, it’s probably best to hang up and reach out to your family and friends for advice. Check in with the person who’s supposedly in trouble using their actual phone, social media, or email. Scammers rely on panic to get you to make mistakes.
Staying calm and focused under stress is how you fight back. But, it’s easier said than done. You need practice. When you’re in the middle of a stressful situation, you tend to rely on your training and your gut. If your gut says that something is too good or bad to be true, then it likely is.
#10
Don't leave stuff visible in your car. It's amazing how many people get laptops stolen because they left them on the seat of their parked car.
Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 5 days ago
I've told my partner this so often that I've given up. She would always reply by saying that there was nothing of any value in the bags she left lying around in full view. I would point out that they wouldn't know that until they'd smashed the window to get the stuff, all to no avail.
#11
Don't post photos of your kids on the internet. There was a time when it was probably fine to put those family photos up on Facebook and Instagram, but that time has passed. Just DM/email/text those to grandparents/relatives.
Earthquake903 5 days ago
The worst is the dating profiles with them in it, I guess people don't know pedos target mates with children
#12
Keeping pet cats from wandering unsupervised outdoors. The risk of catching diseases, getting injured, being hit by cars, or attacked by coyotes and other large animals in wild areas is just not worth it.
Julia Mckinney 5 days ago
Or getting stuck in a large blackberry bramble that's 1 story high and several houses long (we got him back out after 5 days and a lot of effort- he's no longer allowed outdoors).
What do you personally think the biggest security concerns are in this day and age, dear Pandas? What do you do to stay safe online? When was the last time somebody tried to scam you, and how did they try to trick you? Let us know in the comments! And remember—keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
#13
Stop giving your DNA to private companies so you can find out you're 25% Scandinavian.
#14
If you have older kids, set up an Uber family account and let them know they can use it if they need to. As a dad of 3 teenage girls, I'd rather see they grabbed a safe ride home and didn't feel guilty about doing it than the possible alternative.
Geoffrey Scott 5 days ago
Wife and I requested the girls' call us, no harm no foul no interrogation, if they got stuck in a situation they wanted out of. Youngest called once, we honored the agreement, she told us anyway.
#15
Many people just don't pay attention in parking lots as pedestrians. If you are walking, you should especially pay attention in parking lots. This means not walking too closely to parked cars, paying attention to lights, and paying attention to see if someone recently entered a car. You are most likely to be hit as a pedestrian while walking behind a car backing up. Many cars don't have back up cams, and some people just don't have the flexibility to turn around and look behind them.
I see it all the time in the winter, pedestrians walking around, looking at their phones while wearing a black jacket or coat. Get off your phone while walking and wear brighter colors. You are practically invisible at night and in dim light while wearing black.
Khavrinen 4 days ago
I saw something I couldn't quite make out late one night on the road near my apartment, so I slowed way down trying to figure out what I was seeing. It wasn't until I got quite close that I realized it was a guy skateboarding down the middle of the street, wearing black jeans and a black hoodie. The ONLY thing I could actually see was the beige/rubber colored soles of his feet when he pushed off, which was why it looked so weird when I first saw him. Made me wonder if he had a death wish.
#16
Be willing to lose whatever you have on you. If someone wants it they’re gonna take it so just toss it and run. You’re not as good a fighter as you think you might be. Whatever’s in your pocket isn’t worth your life.
#17
Do people have fire extinguishers in their kitchens? I don’t see them on makeover shows.
If you saw how fast fire can spread you’d have extinguishers everywhere.
Green Tree 5 days ago
I asked for one for Xmas two years ago and the giver thought it was kinda a weird ask but when I opened all the adults in the room where like Yes! What a great idea!
#18
Walking in areas that are well lit even if it takes longer to get to a destination.
Tabitha 4 days ago
This! Always stay close to well lit areas and crowds of people. Duck into a store or restaurant if you think you’re being followed, or someone in a vehicle is circling the block and slowing down when they get close to you. Believe me, there will be someone in any of those businesses who will be heading right outside with a baseball bat in hand to “detain” the creep, while someone else is inside calling the police. Because most people understand how it feels to be under threat like that, and some may have relatives or children your age, so they will have no patience for anyone who makes another person feel unsafe, and step up when called on.
#19
The Dave Ramsey crowd will hate this one, but.. Use a credit card that has good cyber security and protections instead of your bank card for normal usage. If you get your bank card hacked they have access to your money in your account and some banks are not good about investigating and getting you it back quickly. But there are some credit card companies that are REALLY good about it. I have my card ID stolen about a decade ago and they went after the people that did it and they served several years in prison. Didn't cost me a dime since the card company cleared all the charges. Could have been a nightmare if it was my bank account.
#20
If someone calls you claiming to be your bank or creditor or anyone else, hang up and call them back at a number you have independently verified. It does not matter if you recognize the caller ID, that can be spoofed. It does not matter if they seem to know what they’re talking about, that’s what data leaks do.
If you receive a letter about a debt or other sensitive matter, say your electric bill, don’t call the number on it without independently verifying it first. I’ve actually legit gotten fake water bills.
Do not redirect payments based on emails. In fact, it’s best not to direct them at all based on an email. Scammers will interject themselves into real estate transactions, contract negotiations, etc. They’ll use an email that looks similar to the one you’ve already been in contact with or gain access to the real one. If possible, discuss changes in-person or on-the-phone (at a verified contact number).
#21
Keep your doors locked when you're at home. When someone comes to your door, check who it is on your doorbell camera. There is no law that says you have to answer it.
#22
I don't know if this counts but knocking on your hood/ looking under the hood before you start your car during cold weather. You may never know if a kitten or puppy is in there.
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 5 days ago
Good luck fitting in there. My engine bay is so small that even changing a bulb is almost impossible.
#23
Logging into personal accounts on a work computer. If your keystrokes are monitored, danny the IT guy can get passwords to your gmail, your password manager, your bank accounts...
SirWriteALot 5 days ago
Be friends with Danny. Buy him a donut or a coffee or go to lunch with Danny. He'll can your life a lot easier.
#24
Not repeating passwords.
#25
When walking to your vehicle in a parking lot, don't be on/looking at your phone. Lock your vehicle as soon as you enter it. Depending on the time of day and area, be cautious of how long you sit with your eyes glued to your phone in your car.
You could go your whole life without the above ever being necessary. But there's no reason not to be careful. Your safety is worth the bit of extra attention and caution. If you've got kids, you might consider passing along the advice.
Mark Childers 5 days ago
Too many people sit in their cars before taking off and after parking, making them a potential target, especially in dark parking lots. I get in my car, lock the door, start the car, and take off after I loaded it. When I get to my destination, I shut down the ignition and get out.
#26
Have your lights automatically come on at night, especially when you're away. It gives the impression that someone is home which thieves do not want.
WindySwede 5 days ago
And don't use the system from Home alone, either. Use a system that can turn them on little bit at random times. Like at 19.30, but varies it 15 to 30 minutes to not always have it on at exact time??
#27
Not running the “yellow” on a busy intersection.
Chris 5 days ago (edited)
What about the ones around here that run the red lights. It seems like in the last 10 years or so it is becoming so common, it is the exception that someone is not doing it. What I'm talking about is yellow comes and goes, and the red light comes up and they are still going through the light for a few more cars (they enter on solid red, and you are sitting there with a green light for another 5 seconds or so).
#28
Using an adblocker. Malicious ads are one of the most common ways to get malware on your device.
#29
Steel-framed doors and good deadbolts.
Forrest Hobbs 4 days ago
Bog standard modern uPVC exterior house doors here in the UK have steel reinforcement in the door and frame, and multiple latches and bolts to hold them closed.
#30
In the US, freeze your credit. This prevents people from looking at it unless they have an existing business relationship with you (so bye-bye "pre-approved" credit card spam). And identity theft is much, much more difficult (they'd have to have your password to get into the account where the freeze is controlled from--they can't just use your Social Security Number).
*You can still check your own credit with a freeze applied.* Both the FICO scores many banks/cards offer and the free reports you're entitled to yearly.
This is **FREE**.
* Experian
* TransUnion
* Equifax
There's very little reason to pay for "credit locks." The only advantage is that their application is usually instant (both locking and unlocking). But they come with fees.
Seriously--almost nobody's credit needs to be accessible all the time. The freeze should be the default.
Unfreeze it if you are about to make a major purchase or apply for a credit card. Give it a few days (or even 15 minutes in my experience) to unfreeze rather than paying for a service to make it instant.
What do you think ?
SpiderWoman13 4 days ago
Disagree. All it take is ONE time. Better 'safe' than 'sorry'.
Load More Replies...
Roni Stone 4 days ago
I live in an elder occupant apartment building. Safety-wise it was one of the best moves I've ever made. Having a building with a concierge staff or security guard watching the door makes me feel much safer.
Sand Ers 2 days ago
How it makes you feel isn't terribly relevant. Is there any evidence that you actually are safer?
Load More Replies...
Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 5 days ago
This one may be especially pertinent at this time of year, but please be careful about disposing of packaging. I'm sure we've all seen packaging for high value items such as tvs or gaming systems on the kerb waiting for the binmen. That's like browsing the Argos catalogue for a burglar. And once you've been burgled, there's a very good chance that it will happen again later when they think you've replaced the items that they stole last time.
SpiderWoman13 4 days ago
Disagree. All it take is ONE time. Better 'safe' than 'sorry'.
Load More Replies... Roni Stone 4 days ago
I live in an elder occupant apartment building. Safety-wise it was one of the best moves I've ever made. Having a building with a concierge staff or security guard watching the door makes me feel much safer.
Sand Ers 2 days ago
How it makes you feel isn't terribly relevant. Is there any evidence that you actually are safer?
Load More Replies... Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 5 days ago
This one may be especially pertinent at this time of year, but please be careful about disposing of packaging. I'm sure we've all seen packaging for high value items such as tvs or gaming systems on the kerb waiting for the binmen. That's like browsing the Argos catalogue for a burglar. And once you've been burgled, there's a very good chance that it will happen again later when they think you've replaced the items that they stole last time.
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