Step up your online security

Follow these top 10 tips to protect your most important information

Updated Oct. 14, 2011

We spend much of our regular lives trying to create a sense of security. We lock our windows and doors. We buy expensive home and car alarm systems. We shred papers that have our important personal information.

However, while many people spend a lot of their time online, far too many of us do not use the internet in a secure way.

Many online users leave themselves, their important files and personal information vulnerable to thieves out to harm them. Here are 10 important tips to follow to remain safer when you’re online:

1. Protect your computer with security software

Viruses and spyware can expose the information you keep on your computer’s hard drive. Install a security suite that includes anti-virus and anti-spyware protections, and a firewall.

And keeping your software up to date is as important as installing it. New threats emerge daily so make sure you set up your software to update automatically.

2. Use strong passwords

Just about everything online requires a password. Thieves or snoops will try to guess your password to gain your personal and financial information.

When creating a password, avoid using things people can find out about you, such as your:

• Date of birth
• Hometown or high school
• Child’s or pet’s name

Also avoid using simple number sequences like 123456 or the all-too-common password of … “password.”

3. Choose your social media friends wisely

Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are great ways to keep in touch with friends and family. But remember to be careful about what information you send out to your “friends.” The information your post about yourself can wind up on the computer of an identity thief.

4. Keep your private information private

When using social media, you should not post your:

• Address
• Full date of birth
• Social Security number
• Phone number
• Other sensitive data

5. Read the fine print

Take the time to read a social media site’s privacy policy. This will let you better understand how they use your personal information.

6. Don’t get hooked by phishing

Attackers will send you supposed urgent emails asking for financial account information. Do not respond to any message or click any links in email that asks for your financial information.

7. Say yes to (only) a safe address

Pay attention to the address, or URL, of a website. Dangerous websites may look nearly identical to a legitimate site, but the URL may use a slight variation in spelling or a different domain (e.g., .net instead of .com).

8. “Don’t call me, I’ll call you.”

If you’re not sure if an email message from a company is legitimate, then contact the company directly.

And when you contact them, use the information on your account statement. Don’t rely on the information they send in the email; that might be part of the scam.

9. Shop from secure sites

When shopping online, make sure you are using a secured website. A secured website shows a lock on your Web browser’s address bar or a URL that begins with https (or sometimes shttp). Never use unsecured wireless networks to shop online.

10. Choose credit, not debit

Use a credit card, not a debit card, when you shop online. You can dispute a credit card charge if you have a problem later.

If someone makes unauthorized charges on your credit card, you are usually only liable for $50.