How does a service member practice good cyber hygiene?

• A. Disable MFA
• B. Use the same password for all accounts
• C. Ignore updates
• D. Use strong passwords, MFA, keep software updated, and avoid phishing

Answer: (D)

Good cyber hygiene relies on multiple protective steps working together. Strong passwords reduce the chance of someone guessing or brute-forcing access, but they can still be stolen. Adding multi-factor authentication creates a second barrier, so even if a password is compromised, an attacker still needs a second form of proof to log in. Keeping software and apps updated closes security gaps that criminals often exploit to gain control or install malware. Being vigilant against phishing helps prevent attackers from tricking you into revealing credentials or installing unauthorized software. In a military context, combining these practices reduces the risk to sensitive information and secure systems.

Disabling MFA makes accounts far more vulnerable, reusing the same password across different sites creates a single point of failure, and ignoring updates leaves known vulnerabilities open. When you cover strong passwords, MFA, updates, and phishing awareness, you’re applying a comprehensive, layered defense.