What does 'cyber hygiene' refer to?

Cyber hygiene refers to the practices and steps that individuals or organizations take to maintain the health and security of their digital systems. This encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at protecting data and ensuring the integrity of systems against cyber threats. Regular updates of software, strong password practices, secure configurations, and awareness of phishing attacks are all part of good cyber hygiene.

Maintaining system health involves routinely checking for vulnerabilities, applying updates, using security tools effectively, and educating users about safe online behavior. Therefore, the essence of cyber hygiene lies in a holistic approach to maintaining cybersecurity through proactive and consistent measures.

The other options focus on narrower aspects of cybersecurity or maintenance that do not encompass the broader spectrum of practices involved in cyber hygiene. For instance, frequency of data updates is only one component of a healthy cybersecurity practice. Cleaning up hard drives may contribute to efficiency but does not necessarily address security concerns. Relying solely on antivirus software neglects the need for a comprehensive strategy that includes various tactics to safeguard systems. Thus, the comprehensive definition provided in the chosen answer correctly captures the essence of cyber hygiene.