The widespread outage of X (formerly Twitter) has been attributed by owner Elon Musk to a ‘massive cyberattack’ conducted by a highly coordinated group or possibly even a nation-state, triggering a surge in cybercrime as threat actors exploit the chaos.
As millions worldwide struggle with disrupted access to the popular social media platform, cybercriminals are intensifying phishing campaigns and spreading malware, cleverly disguised as official updates or security fixes for X.
The confusion and anxiety stemming from this unprecedented cyberattack have given malicious actors a prime opportunity to deploy sophisticated scams, targeting users desperate for immediate solutions.
My goal is to help you protect yourself and equip you with the best strategies to stay ahead of these sophisticated criminal schemes.
1) Deploy top antivirus protection on all of your devices
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
My top pick is TotalAV, and you can get a limited-time deal for CyberGuy readers: $19 your first year (80% off) for the TotalAV Antivirus Pro package.
Read more of our review here.
2) Keep the operating software updated on all of your devices
When software gets stale from a failure to update in a timely fashion, cybercriminals take advantage of those left behind with older versions of your operating system. This important need to update applies to every connected device such as your PC, Mac, Android and iPhone. Learn how to do to easily update your devices here.
3) Install a Password Manager to strengthen access
Create strong passwords for your accounts and devices, and avoid using the same password for multiple online accounts. Consider using a password manager to securely store and generate complex passwords. It will help you to create unique and difficult-to-crack passwords that a hacker could never guess. Second, it also keeps track of all your passwords in one place and fills passwords in for you when you’re logging into an account so that you never have to remember them yourself. The fewer passwords you remember, the less likely you will be to reuse them for your accounts.
One of the best password managers out there is NordPass. NordPass is a secure and user-friendly password manager that uses zero-knowledge and military-grade XChaCha20 encryption to protect your data. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and major browsers while offering unlimited password storage, secure sharing, password health reports, data breach monitoring, auto-fill, and emergency access.
Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 here.
4) Use a VPN to keep everything private and away from prying eyes
Consider using a VPN to protect against being tracked and to identify your potential location on websites that you visit. Many sites can read your IP address and, depending on their privacy settings, may display the city from which you are corresponding. A VPN will disguise your IP address to show an alternate location.
My VPN recommendations:
ExpressVPN – Best for Speed & Security
ExpressVPN is the go-to choice for those who prioritize ultra-fast speeds, reliability, and top-tier security. With servers in 105 countries, ExpressVPN delivers blazing-fast performance for streaming, gaming, and secure browsing. It supports P2P file sharing, offers best-in-class encryption, and maintains a strict no-logs policy—with all servers running on RAM for enhanced privacy. You can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously, and setup takes under 2 minutes. Plus, with 24/7 live customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, ExpressVPN is a premium choice for security-focused users who want speed without compromise.
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Surfshark – Best for Unlimited Devices & Budget-Friendly Security
If you’re looking for a more affordable VPN without sacrificing security, Surfshark is an excellent choice. Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark operates under a strict no-logs policy and offers top-notch encryption to keep your data safe. However, Surfshark stands out by allowing unlimited devices on a single account—making it perfect for families, small businesses, or users with multiple gadgets. It also includes features like MultiHop (double VPN) and Camouflage Mode to bypass VPN restrictions in censored regions. Additionally, Surfshark offers CleanWeb, a built-in ad blocker that prevents intrusive ads, trackers, and malware for a smoother, safer browsing experience. With a budget-friendly price and feature-rich security, Surfshark is ideal for those who want privacy without breaking the bank.
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Both ExpressVPN and Surfshark are excellent choices—ExpressVPN excels in speed and security, while Surfshark offers unbeatable value with unlimited connections. Choose the one that fits your needs and stay safe online.
5) Make regular backups to avoid becoming a ransomware hostage
Make sure to have a secure backup of everything important to you and make sure to periodically create backups at intervals. I use this SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD that starts with 1TB storage. I originally got it for using during trips to offload photos and videos.
Today, I use it for my most important backups. SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD is rugged IP55 water and dust resistant exterior that can survive a drop of 2 meters which is about 6 feet 7 inches.
At least once a month, I plug in my backup SSD to offload another copy of my stuff from my primary computer. This is super fast at reading and writing. That way, if I were ever successfully attacked with malware or scammed into a ransomware lock, I can restore from a protected version of my data.
Tip: Make sure to unplug the drive between uses to isolate it from a hacker being able to gain access.
Make sure to share this with those who you love in life.
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More:
2.7 billion records leaked in massive US data breach
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3 comments
Hi Gary – Good question. ExpressVPN with eero works best when used in bridge mode from another ExpressVPN compatible router ahead of it. Or otherwise ExpressVPN will work when on devices connected downstream from eero, but not on the eero router itself.
What a lot of people do who want the best of both worlds is: keep/get your ExpressVPN-compatible router > setup your eero > change eero to bridge mode > turn off wifi from the ExpressVPN router. Side note: I’m a big fan of eero, not a big fan of the add- on “eero secure” so I skipped enrolling into eero secure.
eero support offered the following guidance: “Our setup process assumes you are doing a simple modem–eero setup and fully replacing your old router. You can absolutely leave the old router in place in what is known as a Double NAT configuration modem–VPN router–eero. Once the eero is fully setup, enable Bridge mode via the DHCP & NAT section of the Advanced Settings menu, and our system will allow VPN traffic to pass through, allowing the use of the eero’s extended range, while still using the VPN software of the old router.”
Survivalists’ info to live by.
Found your site after seeing you with Varney on FBN, thanks for the tips. I am a very experienced computer user, but it’s always good to check new sources for information…there’s always more to learn!