Raise your hand if you got the gift of tech over the holidays? Or maybe you gifted tech. Whatever the case, keep in mind that a new gadget also means a new target for hackers looking for victims. Most shiny new things have very few default cybersecurity settings installed and it’s important to take the few necessary steps to change them.

Here are a few basic steps to keep your new tech and yourself safe.

1. Set up strong and sophisticated passwords

Your passwords should be different from one internet account to another, and from one device to another as well. Your laptop password should be completely different from the one you use to unlock your smart speaker or smart TV. A strong password typically consists of no less than 20 characters, including numbers, letters, and symbols. You can use a password manager to both generate and store your passwords. Remember: If the password is easy to remember, it is not strong enough.

2. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

Every year, hackers come up with new ways to crack users’ devices, so a password is no longer enough to protect your gadgets. That is why our expert advises using two-factor authentication on every device that offers this possibility.

3. Review app permissions

If you received a phone as a gift, don’t forget to double-check the permissions you give to the apps you install. Some apps can request more data than they actually need. For example, your calendar app does not need permission to access your camera or microphone. And surely none of the photo editing apps need to know every person on your contact list.

4. Install cybersecurity tools

Not every new device is equipped with antivirus software or a VPN, so cybersecurity apps are the first thing you should download to your laptop or smartphone. Only after installing these apps can you ensure that your connection is secure and you will not get any viruses while setting up your device further.

5. Set up automatic updates

Once you have installed everything you need, set up automatic updates so that you never miss one