A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information. Software firewalls are widely recommended for single computers. The software is prepackaged on some operating systems or can be purchased for individual computers. For multiple networked computers, hardware […]

Staying logged in to a website or app is convenient, but it creates some security risks. Attackers may be able to impersonate your session ID and hijack your account. Log out when you’re finished and use a password manager so it’s easy to log back in.

Don’t over share on social networking websites. Keep Social Security numbers, account numbers, and passwords private, as well as specific information about yourself, such as your full name, address, birthday, and even vacation plans.

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) recommends locking your device when you are not using it. You might only step away for a few minutes, but that’s enough time for someone to steal or destroy your information. Use strong PINs and passwords to prevent others from accessing your device.

If you ever forget a password, you’ll likely reset it by having a link sent to an on-file email address. Make sure that that account is secured with two-factor authentication, doesn’t have any unusual forwarding filters set up and allows for global sign-out in case someone else accesses it.

Review your banking, credit card, or payment service statements regularly to ensure there are no unauthorized charges or withdrawals. Be sure to shred bank and credit card statements before throwing them in the trash; talk to your bank about using passwords and photo identification on credit cards and bank accounts.