After a long day at work, it’s tempting to collapse on the couch, open your phone, and disappear into the endless void of social media, streaming platforms, or online shopping. I’m guilty of doing that too until I realized how much time I was wasting while simultaneously leaving myself vulnerable online. So, I made a few small changes that completely transformed how I spend my evenings. And I boosted my cybersecurity in the process. Here are five things I did to stop wasting my evenings – and protect my online security.
1. I follow the 30-minute rule
Before I even think of looking at my phone after work, I spend 30 minutes doing something intentional: cooking, reading, exercising, organizing, or gardening. Anything that puts me in control of my time and not at the mercy of an algorithm. The aim of this exercise is to be mindful about what you would like to do. If you still want to catch up on your favourite show after, then at least you’re intentionally making that decision.
Why it works:
- It builds momentum for a productive night of doing exactly what you would like to do
- It helps you focus and relax in a good way
- It cuts down on mindless scrolling that can often lead to hours of wasted time
What’s even better is that the less time you spend on social media, the less exposed you are to phishing scams, fake giveaways, and shady ads that track everything you do online.
✅ Cybersecurity bonus:
Mindless scrolling increases your risk of falling for clickbait scams and malicious links. The 30-minute rule keeps you grounded and alert.
2. I improved my passwords and turned on 2FA
It’s been many years since I’ve used the same password for multiple accounts – one password for everything is never a good idea. Instead, creating a secure password for each of your accounts is the next step to get right. Adding two-factor authentication (2FA) adds that extra protection. Remember, having just one reused or weak password and no 2FA makes it easy for hackers to get hold of your account.
And using a password manager makes things so much easier. Now I use:
- Unique, complex passwords for each account
- 2FA where possible
- One master password that unlocks the password manager vault
It takes less time to log in now than it did to reset forgotten passwords and I can sleep better knowing I’ve reduced my personal attack surface.
✅ Cybersecurity bonus:
Because of this change, one breached account won’t become a domino effect. Just remember to make your master password super strong – consider using a passphrase to help you.
3. Use a timer to stop the endless scrolling
We have all been there – convincing ourselves that we’ll just watch one video. The next thing you know, it’s 1 AM and you’re still watching funny cat videos. In an attempt to improve my sleep, and reduce mindless scrolling, I set a 20-minute timer when I go online. And when it’s up, the phone goes down. This is a great time to start a hobby that you’ve been putting off for some time.
Here are a few things that I’ve done instead:
- Read a physical book (they still exist!)
- Complete one hour of studying – this is especially helpful if you’re thinking about improving your skills to get promoted or preparing for a career change
- Talk to family or friends starting with the ones you may be living with!
You wouldn’t believe how much more mentally refreshed and secure I feel now.
✅ Cybersecurity bonus:
Less scrolling = less exposure to scam content, clickbait, and fake links trying to steal your data.
4. I check for updates to improve my online security
We all really dislike updates. Unfortunately, we need to do them, or those outdated apps and systems can be prime entry points for hackers. Make it easy for yourself – schedule the updates to run automatically!
Another option is to schedule the updates for late evenings:
- Windows/Mac OS updates
- Phone and tablet updates
- Security software updates
Once they’re set, you can forget about them. And when you wake up, your updates are done, and you can carry on with your day.
✅ Cybersecurity bonus:
It’s important to do your updates. Don’t ignore them! Staying current with patches closes security holes that hackers love to exploit. Just do it!
5. I turned my evening into a ‘Cyber Safe Hour’ wind-down
About an hour before going to bed, I take a few minutes to perform a quick cyber safe check:
- Scan my email for phishing attempts
- Review bank accounts for unusual activity
- Log out of all unnecessary apps
- Turn off notifications
- Clear browser cache
- Back up important files (even better if this is automated)
- Learn a new cybersecurity tip
Once this is done, you can start winding down for bedtime. Enjoy a cup of tea and clear your mind to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest.
✅ Cybersecurity bonus:
You are staying alert, building good cyber habits, and taking back control from the bad guys out there.
Small changes, big impact for online security
These tips are not about becoming the next incredible productivity guru. Instead, it’s about being mindful and choosing what you would like to spend your time on, while improving your online security in the process. I definitely didn’t cut out all fun. I still enjoy watching my favourite show but it’s intentional and a during a dedicated time – with popcorn ready to go!
This process has helped me find time to dedicate to the things I find meaningful and rewarding. So, if you’re tired of feeling like your evenings disappear into the digital void, try one (or all) of these tips or watch one of our simple cybersecurity videos. Not only will you get your time back, but you’ll take your cybersecurity to the next level too. Be secure!
