Digital hygiene is no longer optional, it is survival
Check email, download a file, connect to the cafe’s Wi-Fi. Everyday acts that can open the door to having your account emptied or your identity stolen without you realizing it.
In Mexico there are more than 100 million people using the internet. That is 83% of the population over six years old. So much connectivity means that a huge amount of personal data is floating around on the internet. And where there is data, there is risk.
What the hell is ‘digital hygiene’?
Carlos Tlahuel Pérez, UNAM security expert, defines it clearly:
This is the set of good practices that allow you to keep information secure and devices running, even without being technology specialists.
The thing is simple: your entire life is on that phone and that laptop. Work, photos, conversations, bank accounts. That makes them the perfect target for fraudsters.
Tlahuel explains that protection is based on three pillars: confidentiality (that only you have access), integrity (that no one modifies your things) and availability (that they are there when you need them). If one fails, the system breaks down.
The numbers are scary. According to Condusef, complaints about digital fraud increased by 20% in 2023. They already represent 71% of all reported frauds. The trend is going downhill.
What are we doing wrong? Weak or repeated keys are the cardinal sin. But there’s more: downloading pirated programs (which can contain spyware), carelessly lending out USB drives, and putting personal data in strange places.
Public Wi-Fi is another death trap. The expert is forceful:
By connecting to these networks, data can travel unprotected and be exposed to third parties.
Translation: no moving money or sending sensitive information from the mall or the airport.
Basic habits that are your shield
You don’t need to be a computer genius. They are simple measures:
- Keep the operating system and apps updated.
- Install antivirus and firewall (yes, they still work).
- Download software only from official sources.
- Use strong passwords (more than 12 characters, mix everything up).
- ALWAYS activate two-step verification.
Nothing gives you 100% security, but you put so many obstacles in place that the fraudster gets lazy and looks for someone more vulnerable.
Here comes the important thing: this is not just an individual issue. Tlahuel highlights it:
Each person is part of a broader network… a leak can affect third parties.
Your bad habits can harm your family, friends or co-workers. The final recommendation is sensible: segment your digital life, make backup copies often and save only what you need on your devices.
In a hyperconnected world, taking care of your data is no longer something technical. It is a form of self-care and, above all, collective responsibility.
