Most of us move through the day switching between apps, devices and accounts without thinking twice. That convenience works best when good cyber habits are already in place — and when they’re maintained over time as work, money and personal information become more connected.

As more of life moves online, cyberspace has become the newest frontier for fraud and theft. The tactics aren’t always dramatic or technical. They often rely on small lapses — reused passwords, unprotected devices, or a rushed click on a convincing message. Building (and sticking with) a few solid habits can dramatically reduce your risk.

To take a deeper dive into cybersecurity, visit Fidelity for more tips and tools you need to stay cyber-safe.

1. Lock down your logins

Your accounts are the front door to your digital life. Use unique login IDs and strong passwords for your work, financial, email, phone and social media accounts — and avoid using your email address as a username. Don’t reuse passwords or rely on obvious ones. Instead, use long passphrases that are easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.

Turn on two-factor authentication wherever it’s available. Biometrics like fingerprints, facial recognition and voice authentication make this fast and convenient. Also make sure your email address and phone number are current so you can be contacted right away if suspicious activity is detected.

2. Pause before you click

Phishing emails and scam texts are still one of the most common ways bad actors get access. Messages that create urgency, ask for login details, or include unexpected links or attachments should always give you pause. Hover over links to see where they really lead, and don’t click if something feels off.

Be especially cautious of messages that appear to come from companies, coworkers, or tech support. If there’s any doubt, stop communicating and verify through a trusted channel. Never give remote access to your computer to someone you haven’t confirmed.

3. Protect the devices you use every day

Your phone and laptop play a bigger role in your life than you might realize. Use antivirus software and a firewall, keep operating systems and apps updated, and avoid conducting sensitive work on public Wi-Fi.

Secure your phone with a screen lock and biometrics, enable automatic updates, protect your mobile account from unauthorized transfers, and back up important data to secure cloud storage.

Good cyber habits aren’t about changing how you work — they’re about creating a routine so that protecting your information becomes second nature.

Interested in other ways to level up your cybersecurity? Visit Fidelity.

Starting a career at Sandia is an exciting milestone — one that may also mark the beginning of new financial responsibilities, including managing debt. Whether it’s student loans, credit card debt or other financial obligations, this is the time to develop a plan to manage and reduce your debt as your earnings and your lifestyle costs begin to grow.

Understand your debt. Make a list of what you owe, including the interest rates and minimum payments for each debt. This will give you a clear picture of your financial situation and help you prioritize what to tackle first.

Create a budget. Include your income, expenses and debt payments. Allocate a portion of your income specifically for debt repayment. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you’re making progress toward reducing your debt.

Explore repayment strategies. Consider different repayment strategies, including the snowball method (paying off the smallest debts first) and the avalanche method (paying off the debts with the highest interest rates first).

For DIY credit and debt management solutions, tools, calculators and articles that support financial wellness, visit Fidelity.

The Sandia 401(k) plan is designed to meet the savings needs of all participants. Make sure you’re aware of the features that can make this plan work for you.

You can meet one-on-one via Zoom with a Fidelity professional and get retirement planning guidance tailored to your unique needs from someone who understands how the Sandia 401(k) works.

When you check in with a Sandia 401(k) plan expert, you’ll gain peace of mind, knowing that you’re saving enough and using the right tools to help you achieve your retirement goals. You’ll discover features to help you customize your saving and investing strategy, model retirement costs and make a plan for the future.

Here are a few questions to ask:

• Should I save Roth or pretax, and how much?
• How much will I need to live on in retirement, and am I on track to get there?
• What are my investment options?
• How do I roll over my other retirement accounts into the Sandia 401(k) plan?

Log in to your Fidelity account to sign up for a complimentary one-on-one Zoom appointment. After you log in, use the Saba scheduling tool to schedule your session.