Tech Hygiene

Somewhere between growing up and figuring life out, there’s this weird gap nobody talks about. You learn how to pay taxes, change a duvet cover, and maybe cook that good bolognaise.

But no one really teaches you how to not be a tech victim. I’m talking about the basics; not building apps or installing Linux. Just the everyday stuff that makes life smoother, safer, and way less frustrating.

So I'll try to guide you through the basics I believe in. You already know most of these? Good job!

Passwords are not memories

If you’re still using the same password for everything, or some charming variation of your pet’s name plus a number you are basically daring the internet to ruin your day.

Get a password manager. Really. They create strong, random passwords and remember them all for you. You only need to remember one master password. That’s it.

And yes, your face or fingerprint can unlock it. The future is now, and it’s less stressful than trying to remember if it was “Fluffy2023” or “fluffy2023!”.

I have used Bitwarden, Keepass and LastPass in the past. They're all nice tools. Just have a search for best password managers, and choose the one you like.

How to use it? Whenever you create an account for let's say Netflix, Gmail, your work e-mail and computer account... note down your username/e-mail and password. Whenever it changes (you should change it every now and then!) log in to your PWM and update your password and hit "save".

Whenever you need to log in, you just open your manager and copy/paste your info.

Two-factor authentication isn’t paranoia

You know that thing where an app sends you a second code when you log in? That’s not just for crypto bros or secret agents. It’s just... normal now.

Without it, anyone who guesses or steals your password (because you used the same password as I mentioned above) can just waltz into your account. With it, they need a second key. That’s where 2FA comes in. Use an app like Microsoft- or Google Authenticator — and please don’t rely on SMS codes. Text messages can be intercepted. The little extra step is worth the peace of mind.

How to use it? On the same platforms you saved in your Password Manager search your settings for "2FA" of "MFA" and configure it. You have your Authenticator app on your phone, follow the steps on the screen and set up 2FA for every account. When you log in with your password, you need to approve it in your app as well.

Search like a digital ninja

You don’t need to scroll through 128 messages to find that one restaurant your friend recommended two months ago. Most messaging apps WhatsApp, Signal, even Instagram DMs have a decent search function.

Use keywords. Think like a librarian.Want that photo from your trip to London? Type “London” or the even the month you traveled in your Photos app. Looking for that one PDF your coworker sent? Search for ".PDF" .

It saves time, frustration, and makes you feel like a very low-key hacker.

Search with keyword "restaurant" in Whatsapp.

A clever search is a fast find. Use dates, names, even keywords that you remember from that conversation. If you were discussing restaurants in London, try searching for both.

My FAQ that I find in chats, are access codes, addresses, or subjects brought up during a conversation.

Mobile internet, wifi and travel while staying online

Let's be honest: we're always online. Going on a trip? Yes, I love posting a story of my plane taking off or arriving at the beach. It always creates nice interactions with my friends. But to do so, you need internet.

Let's talk about understanding your data plans and roaming but also security.

That free café WiFi? Not your friend. Unless you’re using a VPN, public networks are a playground for people who want your passwords or data. Better to use your mobile connection or tether from your own device than trust that shady airport hotspot. Why? Well, certainly with wars going on all over the world, cyber criminals are more active than ever. They roam these places and just scan every device that connects to it to exploit peoples' data or even steal their money.

And roaming? Outside your continent (I'm in Europe in my case) , even a few minutes of scrolling can rack up €30 (or more) in charges. But you don’t need to go dark. These days you can just buy an eSIM online before or during your trip.

No fiddling with tiny cards. No trips to local shops. Just download, activate, done. Just make sure your phone supports E-sim. Apps like Airalo or Holafly let you set it up in minutes. You can even keep your own number active at the same time. Make sure to change your settings so that your phone will use the new e-sim for mobile internet.

Conlusion

You don’t have to know how the internet works under the hood. But being prepared in 2025 means knowing enough to not feel like your devices are constantly playing tricks on you and simply understanding what the risks are.

These small changes: a password manager, a second login step, better search habits, a decent data plan, they add up to less stress and more clarity.

And in the end, that’s all “being good with tech” really means.Not knowing everything. Just being a little less lost, a little more in control.

I've been working in tech for over 18 years now, and I helped many people over the years. Most happiness really came from these small "hacks" that helped their day-to-day a lot. I hope you liked my article: as usual feedback is always appreciated. Feel free to follow me on Instagram!