6 Security-Focused New Year’s Resolutions for 2026

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reset habits—not just personal ones, but digital habits too. Cybercriminals don’t need zero-days or nation-state tooling if we keep handing them easy wins through reused passwords, oversharing, and rushed reactions.

For 2026, here are six realistic, security-focused New Year’s resolutions that actually reduce risk. 

1. Use a Password Manager (and Stop Reusing Passwords)

Reused passwords remain a common cause of account compromise. One breached website turns into access to your email, bank, work tools, and cloud accounts.

A password manager fixes this problem almost entirely:

• It generates long, unique passwords for every site
• It stores them securely so you don’t have to remember them
• It prevents you from accidentally reusing credentials

If one service gets breached, the damage stops there. No domino effect. In 2026, “I remember all my passwords” should be a red flag, not a point of pride.

Resolution: Use a password manager for everything, especially email and financial accounts.

2. Double-Check What Apps Have Access to Your Accounts

Over time, we grant apps access and forget about them. That productivity tool from 2019? The quiz app you tried once? The browser extension you no longer use?

All of those may still have:

• Access to your email
• Permissions to read files
• Rights to post or act on your behalf

Attackers love abusing forgotten integrations because they bypass passwords entirely.

Resolution: Audit app permissions quarterly. If you don’t recognize it, don’t need it, or don’t trust it—remove it.

➕ Bonus resolution for IT managers: Block risky apps on the company network with AppAware and prevent unwanted access altogether.

3. Stop, Drop, and Roll Before Responding to “Urgent” Messages

Phishing relies on emotion: fear, urgency, authority, or excitement.
“Your account is locked.”
“Wire this now.”
“Are you free for a quick favor?”

Before responding:

• Stop: Pause instead of reacting
• Drop: Lower the emotional temperature
• Roll: Verify through a separate channel

Call the sender. Text them directly. Check with IT. Do anything other than immediately replying to the original message.

Resolution: Never respond to urgent requests without confirming the sender via a trusted third party or method.

4. Use a VPN to Reduce Tracking and Data Exposure

Your IP address reveals more than you think: approximate location, browsing patterns, and network identity. ISPs, advertisers, and attackers all collect and correlate this data.

A reputable VPN:

• Masks your IP address
• Reduces cross-site tracking
• Protects traffic on public Wi-Fi

It’s not a silver bullet, but it is a meaningful layer of privacy—especially as tracking becomes more aggressive in 2026.

Resolution: Use a VPN (like Guardian) on public networks and for routine browsing when privacy matters.

5. Bother Your Friends, Family, and Coworkers About Security

You’re only as secure as the people around you. A compromised family member can lead to impersonation scams. A hacked friend can send you malicious links. A coworker’s mistake can expose shared systems.

Security isn’t contagious, but bad security habits are.

Normalize conversations about:

• Phishing texts
• Fake delivery notices
• Romance scams
• “Too good to be true” offers

Yes, it might feel awkward. That’s better than cleaning up identity theft or malware attacks later.

Resolution: Be that person. Share warnings. Ask questions. Help others build better cybersecurity habits.

6. Lie More on the Internet (Seriously)

Oversharing fuels social engineering. Birthdays, pet names, job history, schools, locations—all of it becomes ammunition for attackers.

You don’t owe the internet accuracy.

• Use fake answers for security questions
• Leave optional profile fields blank
• Avoid posting personal milestones publicly
• Don’t reveal identifying details unless required

Less data out there means fewer ways to exploit you.

Resolution: Share less, obscure more, and treat personal identifying information as sensitive by default.

Bonus: Reduce the Risk of Human Error

IT managers and CISOs alike can reduce the risks of human error–related breaches in their organizations by:

• Sharing the above list of resolutions with their teams
• Implementing DNS-based filtering

Knowledge is power. Educating your employees on the risks of their online behaviors is one key way to help prevent data breaches.

But education isn’t a fail-safe. Even the most knowledgeable in cybersecurity are at risk for accidentally clicking something they shouldn’t. Consider this: Professional stunt doubles still use safety nets.

Resolution: Deploy DNS filtering across company networks and devices to catch and block threats before they ever resolve. Try DNSFilter free for 14 days and start the year with a win under your belt.

Make 2026 the Year of Fewer Easy Targets

Cybersecurity requires and builds upon good habits. Each of these resolutions removes an easy win from an attacker’s playbook. Combined, they dramatically lower your risk without adding much friction.

In 2026, resolve to be boring to attackers.