In Taiwan, online life is fast, convenient, and sometimes risky. From scammy text messages claiming you won a prize to public WiFi that exposes your personal info, cyber threats are everywhere. And the truth is, your personal data is more valuable than you think. Hackers don’t just target big companies — ordinary people are often the easiest targets.

But the good news? You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to stay safe. With a few small but intentional steps, you can drastically reduce your risk.

I’ll share five actionable steps you can take today to protect your personal data online:

Step 1: Check Your Apps

Your digital life begins with the apps on your devices. Every app you install, whether on your phone, tablet, or computer, has access to some level of your personal data. Over time, many of us accumulate apps we rarely use — games you tried once, local lifestyle apps, or even old social media apps. These forgotten apps can be a serious security risk.

Why?

Outdated apps may have security holes.
Some apps request permissions that are unnecessary for their function (like accessing contacts, location, or camera).
If an old app’s server is hacked, your personal information could be exposed.

What to do:

Audit your devices regularly. Delete apps you haven’t opened in months.
Check app permissions: Does that flashlight app really need your microphone? Probably not.
Keep apps updated. Developers release updates not just for new features, but to patch security vulnerabilities.

Example in Taiwan: Popular apps like LINE, PChome, or Shopee have built-in privacy settings. Take the time to review them, adjust who can see your info, and remove old connections. This simple step significantly reduces your exposure.

Step 2: Update Your Passwords

Passwords are the frontline of defense for your online accounts. Unfortunately, many people reuse passwords or choose easy-to-guess combinations like birthdays, pet names, or “123456.” Hackers are well aware of these habits.

Tips for strong password habits:

Use unique passwords for each account.
Make them long, complex, and memorable (a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols).
Consider using a password manager to store and generate secure passwords. Popular options in Taiwan include LastPass, 1Password, or even browser-based managers like Google Chrome or Safari.
Update your passwords periodically — especially for banking, email, and social media accounts.

Even if someone gets access to one account, strong, unique passwords prevent them from accessing everything else. It’s a small effort with a big payoff.

Step 3: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Even the strongest password isn’t enough if someone steals it. That’s where two-factor authentication (2FA) comes in. Think of 2FA as a second lock on your door. Even if a hacker knows your password, they can’t get in without the second key.

Common 2FA methods:

SMS codes: A temporary code sent to your phone.
Authenticator apps: Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy.
Hardware security keys: Physical USB keys for highly sensitive accounts.

Where to enable 2FA in Taiwan:

Banks like 台新銀行 (Taishin Bank) and 中信銀行 (CTBC Bank) support 2FA.
Messaging apps like LINE and email providers such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Turning on 2FA is simple, free, and can save you from devastating account hacks.

Step 4: Clean Your Digital Devices

Think of your phone or computer as a closet. If it’s cluttered with old apps, cached files, and forgotten accounts, it’s easier for hackers to exploit you. A regular digital spring cleaning keeps your devices secure.

Here is the checklist:

Uninstall unused apps and programs.
Remove old logins from browsers or apps.
Clear cache and cookies that may store sensitive data.
Check connected devices to see which devices still have access to your accounts.
Backup important files securely, and consider encryption for sensitive data.
Update software regularly to patch vulnerabilities.

A clean, updated device is not just faster — it’s also much safer.

Step 5: Check URLs and Online Connections

Even with strong passwords and clean devices, the wrong click can undo all your efforts. Phishing scams and fake websites are increasingly sophisticated, designed to look like official portals for banks, government sites, or online stores.

How to spot suspicious links:

Double-check the URL. Official government sites end with .gov.tw, and secure sites start with https. For example, my website—https://taiwanlanguageepisode.com — is a safe and secure site where you can find useful information and access any learning resources you need.
Look for subtle spelling mistakes or unusual characters.
Don’t trust links in unsolicited messages, emails, or social media DMs — even if they look real.

Pro tip: Bookmark official sites for frequent logins instead of typing URLs manually. This reduces the risk of falling for a scam. I recommend adding https://taiwanlanguageepisode.com to your bookmarks for easy and safe access.

Conclusion

Staying safe online may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking these five steps — checking apps, updating passwords, enabling 2FA, cleaning your devices, and verifying URLs — you’re already far ahead of most internet users.

Remember, hackers often target ordinary users because small oversights can lead to big consequences. But consistent, mindful habits make a huge difference. You don’t need to be a tech expert. Start small, one step at a time, and share these tips with friends and family. The safer we all are, the less opportunity there is for scammers and hackers to succeed. Your personal data is valuable — treat it like it is.

Latest Episode

In this week’s episode, C#47 你在台灣生活嗎？小心這些網路陷阱，駭客可能正在盯上你！(nǐ zài Táiwān shēnghuó ma? Xiǎoxīn zhèxiē wǎngluò xiànjǐng, hàikè kěnéng zhèngzài dīng shàng nǐ!) I dive into the world of online safety beyond just passwords. We all think we’re careful, but everyday habits — from social media oversharing to using public WiFi — can leave us vulnerable to hackers. I share practical tips to protect your personal data, avoid phishing scams, safely log in to bank or government sites, and keep your digital life organized. You’ll learn small steps that make a big difference, like updating passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and cleaning up old apps. Let’s take charge of our digital safety together — one mindful step at a time!

Listen to the Latest Podcast

Phrase of the Week

提防小人 (tí fáng xiǎo rén)

Meaning: Be on guard against deceitful people (here: scammers or hackers)

Sample Sentences

網路詐騙頻傳，我們要提防小人。

Wǎnglù zhàpiàn pín chuán, wǒmen yào tífáng xiǎorén。

Online scams are spreading frequently; we must be cautious of deceitful people.

不要輕易分享個人資訊，提防小人利用。

Bùyào qīngyì fēnxiǎng gèrén zīxùn, tí fáng xiǎo rén lìyòng.

Don’t share personal information lightly; be on guard against deceitful people.

即使他們是我們很熟的人，也要提防小人。

Jíshǐ tāmen shì wǒmen hěn shú de rén, yě yào tífáng xiǎorén.

Even if they are people we know well, we must still be wary of deceitful individuals.