96% of Americans feel a personal responsibility to be safer and more secure online
And, 93% believe their online actions can protect not only friends and family but also help to make the web safer for everyone around the world.
Here are 14 cybersecurity tips to encourage you to practice good online safety habits.
1. Keep a clean machine. Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system is the best defense against viruses, malware, and other online threats.
2. Automate software updates. Many software programs will automatically connect and update to defend against known risks. Turn on automatic updates if you have that option.
3. Protect all devices that connect to the internet. Along with computers, your smartphones, gaming systems and other web-enabled devices also need protection from viruses and malware.
4. Plug and scan. USBs and other external devices can be infected by viruses and malware.
5. Use your security software to scan them. Connect with care when in doubt, throw it out.
6. Links in email, tweets, posts and online advertising are often the ways cybercriminals compromise your computer. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it’s best to delete or, if appropriate, mark as junk email.
7. Get savvy about Wi-Fi hotspots. Limit the type of business you conduct and adjust the security settings on your device to limit who can access your machine.
8. Protect your money. When banking and shopping, check to be sure the sites are security-enabled.
9. Look for web addresses with “https://,” which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information. “Http://” is not secure.
10. Protect your personal information and secure your accounts. Ask for protection beyond passwords. Many account providers now offer additional ways for you to verify who you are before you conduct business on that site.
11. Make passwords long and strong. Combine capital and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols to create a more secure password. Unique account, unique password. Having separate passwords for every account helps to thwart cybercriminals. Everyone can forget a password.
12. Own your online presence. Set the privacy and security settings on websites to your comfort level for information sharing. It’s ok to limit how and with whom you share information.
13. Check trusted websites for the latest information. Share with friends, family and colleagues and encourage them to be web wise.
14. Think before you act. Be wary of communications that implore you to act immediately, offer something that sounds too good to be true or ask for personal information.
What you do online has the potential to affect everyone—at home, at work and around the world. Practicing good online habits benefits the global digital community.
Get help from the professionals
For more tips and guidance on how to further protect your personal data from identity thieves, IDShield offers one-on-one consultation to ensure your private information remains private. IDShield, your all-inclusive solution to identity protection, monitoring, and restoration, now brings you enhanced privacy and reputation management consultation.
IDShield is a product of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. d/b/a LegalShield (“LegalShield”). LegalShield provides access to identity theft protection and restoration services. For complete terms, coverage and conditions, please see www.idshield.com. All Licensed Private Investigators are licensed in the state of Oklahoma. This is not intended to be legal advice. Please contact an attorney for legal advice or assistance. If you are a LegalShield member, you should contact your Provider Law Firm.
