Whether it’s shopping, e-banking or streaming, the internet is part of your daily life. Every action leaves traces, and many underestimate how quickly personal data can be misused. With the right settings, tools and habits, you’ll browse more safely, protect your privacy, and significantly reduce the risk of cybercrime.
18.09.2025 | Reading time: 7 minutes
Data is valuable. Ad platforms build profiles, while cybercriminals target login credentials, email accounts and credit cards. At the same time, apps and connected devices are constantly collecting information. Total anonymity is hard to achieve, but with strong passwords, two-factor authentication (2FA), regular updates and secure networks, you raise your protection level considerably.
Risk | Description |
|---|---|
Tracking and ads | Cookies and scripts follow your behavior; profiles are often built without explicit consent. |
Phishing and malware | Fake emails, texts and websites try to steal passwords, card data or device access. |
Insecure networks | Public Wi-Fi is often unencrypted; data can be intercepted, or rogue hotspots set up. |
With 2FA, you need a code or app approval in addition to your password. That blocks many account takeovers.
For daily use, stick to a standard account instead of administrator. Mistakes or malware cause far less damage. Enable User Account Control and grant admin rights only when needed and briefly.
A personal firewall controls inbound/outbound traffic and blocks suspicious connections. Turn on the system firewall and, if needed, add a security suite with network monitoring.
An up-to-date antivirus detects malware, ransomware and phishing sites. Keep signatures and engine current and schedule regular full scans.
Updates close security holes. Enable automatic updates for the OS, browser, office suite and plugins, and retire outdated software.
Enable tracking protection, a pop-up blocker and Do Not Track; block third-party cookies; remove unnecessary extensions; allow only essential site permissions (camera, location). Keep the browser fully updated.
Disable macros by default, scrutinize attachments, turn off automatic loading of external images, and use secure protocols plus strong passwords + 2FA. For Office files: preview first, then open only from trusted sources.
Regularly delete cookies, disable third-party cookies, and use privacy add-ons if needed. This reduces profiling and cross-site tracking.
Look for https:// and the lock icon. That encrypts data between you and the site—critical on unfamiliar networks.
A VPN encrypts your traffic and helps especially on public Wi-Fi. It doesn’t replace browser safeguards, but it reduces eavesdropping risk.
Set a strong admin password on your router, use WPA3 (or at least WPA2), disable WPS and keep the firmware updated. Separate a guest Wi-Fi from your main network and turn off auto-join to open networks on your phone.
Make regular backups locally and in the cloud, encrypt drives and backups, and share sensitive files only via secure channels. Review cloud folder sharing and set expiry dates on links.
Use a PIN or biometrics, enable screen lock and remote wipe, install apps only from official stores, review permissions, keep iOS/Android up to date, and protect your mobile email with 2FA.
Free Wi-Fi in cafés, stations or airports is convenient but often weakly secured. Attackers can intercept data or spin up fake hotspots.
Reduce the risks:
Check the legitimacy of the shop, full contact details, return policy, and transparent prices in CHF. Use buyer-protected payment methods, enter card data only over HTTPS, and keep order records. If something’s off: contact the merchant first, save evidence, then inform your payment provider and, if needed, the authorities.
Set clear rules, use parental controls, explain privacy in age-appropriate terms, and discuss apps, games and social media together. Guidance and open conversations work better than technology alone.
Password managers for strong, unique logins. Authenticator apps instead of SMS where possible. Privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo or Startpage, email providers such as Proton Mail or Mailbox.org, and messaging apps like Signal or Threema. Always check transparency, company location and encryption.
