Serious Discussion What’s ONE security habit you think actually matters (and one that’s overrated)?

[Jonny Quest]

The one habit that has truly kept me safe is not being 'click-happy' with permissions. I treat every install and every access request like I’m handing out the keys to my front door. Just staying alert and mindful is worth more than any fancy software.

What I find overrated is stacking layers of security just for the sake of it. Having a dozen tools doesn't mean you're better protected if you don't even know what they’re doing; it usually just slows down your PC and creates confusion.

As for the 'golden rule' of three backups: for a regular user, having one local copy and one in the cloud is plenty of peace of mind. It’s not about how many copies you collect, but about keeping them updated. One reliable backup you actually check is worth way more than three you haven't touched in years!

And that's what I've noticed, that 9 times out of 10, those who have overengineered their devices (stacking layers of security), are the ones who seem to have the most issues of "this is no longer working, of this glitch, or why can't I, and why is this now.....?"

 

[ForgottenSeer 116559]

And that's what I've noticed, that 9 times out of 10, those who have overengineered their devices (stacking layers of security), are the ones who seem to have the most issues of "this is no longer working, of this glitch, or why can't I, and why is this now.....?"

Absolutely. Windows tends to go downhill as you install excessive, overlapping, or mismatched software. It sounds like a speed run to "it feels like I'm about due for yet another Windows reinstall."

More software can theoretically increase attack surface, anyway. All software has its share of flaws, but the more you reach for third-party gadgets, the more code you keep on your system that wasn't designed with the same care as Chromium, for example.

 

[Parkinsond]

Absolutely. An install of Windows tends to go downhill as you install excessive, overlapping, or mismatched software. It sounds like a speed run to "it feels like I'm about due for yet another Windows reinstall."

More software can theoretically increase attack surface, anyway. All software has its share of flaws, but the more you reach for third-party gadgets, the more code you keep on your system that wasn't designed with the same care as Chromium, for example.

My current attack surface