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Step 1
This one goes without saying but needs to be said since many people still do not follow it and that is protect your personal information. Minimize your risk of identity theft by not sharing any personal information unless you know exactly how it will be used. Never reply to or click on links in any email asking for your personal information.
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Step 2
If you like to shop online find the seller's physical address and working telephone number.
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Step 3
Before you download any software read the fine print as some downloads come with spyware. Spyware gathers your information and sends it back to the company.
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Step 4
Install anti-virus software on your computer. Symantec and McAfee are the two biggest names out there and work well. Set it up so it updates the software automatically so your virus definitions stay up to date.
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Step 5
Install firewall software. Again Symantec and McAfee are good choices. You will want to set these up as well to automatically update.
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Step 6
Set security settings high on your web browser. Regardless of which browser you use, they all have security settings. Set your security chocies to high to reduce the risk of your computer being hacked.
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Step 7
Secure your passwords. I have seen it where people have there passwords on piece of paper taped to their computer. That is just asking for trouble. Write them down and put them in a secure location for no one else to see but you, and never give out your usernames or passwords over email or the phone.
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Step 8
Invest in an external hard drive to back up important files. They are fairly cheap now. The last thing you want is to lose every file you have because someone hacked your machine.
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Step 9
If for some reason you feel that something has gone wrong and you may have been hacked or your personal information has been compromised, visit onguardonline.gov and click "File a Complaint".
Comments
MI-Sandi said
on 11/24/2008 Great helpful tips. I know alot of people take it for granted that they are "immune" to being violated.5*