15 Ways to Be a Safer Computer User

**Executive summary:** This consumer-focused article lists 15 practical information-security best practices — including enabling antivirus and firewalls, using full-disk encryption, long unique passwords and a password manager, two-factor authentication, ad blockers and DNS filtering, securing Wi‑Fi, using VPNs on untrusted networks, applying timely updates, phishing awareness, and covering webcams — intended to help non-technical users reduce risk and avoid common scams.