How Families Can Stay Cyber Secure: Expert Insights from Reanna Schultz
In a recent episode of The Secure Family Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing cyber defense expert Reanna Schultz of Cyberspeak Labs. With years of experience in the cybersecurity field, Reanna has worked in endpoint security, network security engineering, and now leads a security operations center team. She’s also a content creator and educator, passionate about making cybersecurity accessible for everyone.
Throughout our conversation, Reanna shared her insights on cybersecurity best practices, how hackers operate, and what families can do to protect themselves online.
The Importance of Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Reanna emphasized the importance of strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA), especially given how easy it is for hackers to exploit weak credentials.
"One of my family members used 'Facebook1.' as their password, and they were shocked when they got hacked," she says. "Hackers don’t guess your password—they use automated tools to crack them."
She strongly recommends using a password manager and enabling MFA whenever possible, as do I.
"Even if your password gets compromised, MFA is a second layer of security that can block unauthorized access," Reanna explains. "It takes just a few seconds to turn on but can save you from identity theft and account takeovers."
Why No One is Too Small to Be a Target
Many people believe they aren't important enough to be targeted by hackers, but Reanna warns against this mindset.
"Even if you think you’re a 'nobody,' to a hacker, you’re just a dollar sign," she says. "Hackers don’t target individuals personally; they steal data in bulk and sell it on underground markets. Even if you’re not a celebrity, your information is still valuable."
She also pointed out that hackers run operations like businesses, making money by selling credentials and personal data.
"If they sell 50 hacked Facebook accounts for $1 each, that’s easy money," she explains. "That’s why it’s important to take cybersecurity seriously."
Securing Your Home WiFi Network
Many people plug in their WiFi routers and never think about security settings, but Reanna warns that leaving default credentials in place is a major vulnerability.
"I can’t tell you how many times I’ve logged into a friend’s WiFi with 'admin' as both the username and password," she says. "These default credentials are publicly available online and are the first thing hackers try."
To secure your WiFi network:
Change the default admin username and password immediately.
Use a strong, unique password for your network.
Set up a guest WiFi network for visitors.
Regularly update your router’s firmware.
Consider scheduling an annual security check with your provider.
Protecting Kids Online
With kids growing up in an increasingly digital world, Reanna shared tips for keeping them safe online.
"Kids don’t realize that what they post online follows them forever," she says. "Just because something disappears on Snapchat doesn’t mean it’s gone. These companies store data for legal reasons, and that information can be accessed later."
She recommends parents take the following steps:
Enable parental controls: Set up monitoring apps that alert you to suspicious activity without violating privacy.
Educate kids about digital footprints: Teach them that online actions have real-world consequences.
Monitor social media privacy settings: Restrict who can see their profiles and what information is public.
Encourage open conversations: Make sure kids feel comfortable talking to you about their online experiences.
Be cautious about gaming communities: Predators often use gaming platforms to groom children. Reanna advises parents to monitor who their kids talk to online.
"If your child is talking to someone online, make sure it’s someone they know in real life," she says. "A lot of predators try to move kids to private Discord servers or chat apps where they can manipulate them."
Final Thoughts from Reanna Schultz
Reanna’s parting advice to parents is to stay involved and proactive.
"It’s like teaching your kids to drive," she says. "You want them to be independent, but you also want to make sure they’re safe. Cybersecurity is no different. Have those conversations early, set up protections, and always be aware of what’s happening in your child’s digital world."
For those interested in learning more from Reanna, she shares cybersecurity tips on her website Cyber Speak Labs, LinkedIn, and X @CyberReanna. Cybersecurity is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. By taking small steps today, families can build a strong foundation for a safer digital future.
