Take Control of Your Online Security
When spending time online, it makes
sense to be smart about protecting yourself and information.
Here are some simple tips to help you protect your personal
information.
1. Use strong
passcodes for your devices
A smart phone or tablet is the device
of choice for many people today. These devices are more
likely to be lost or stolen. Smart phones can use passcodes to
lock the phone. It’s a good idea to create a strong
passcode for your device.
2. Review and
protect your social media accounts
Make a list of your accounts and
decide which ones you need and which ones you don’t. Change the
password using a password manager to create a hard to break
code.
Sharing too much on social media may
put your personal information in the wrong hands. Pay attention
to not only the pictures and posts you share, but also to your
privacy settings, as well, so that you’re limiting the number of
people who can see what you’re sharing. If your kids are on
social media, you may also want to check their privacy settings.
And when it comes to posting, make sure they understand what’s
safe to share and what’s not.
If you have had the same password on
any one account for more than a year, change your password
immediately. Use a password manager to create a strong
hard to break code. Some people use the same password for
many accounts. This is never a good idea.
4. Be wary of free Wi-Fi
Most free public Wi-Fi networks don’t
offer much in the way of security. With the right tools, anyone
else on the same Wi-Fi network could be “eavesdropping” on your
online activity. Before connecting to a public Wi-Fi, make sure
your device is protected with a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
When downloading apps to your device,
make sure the apps are from a trusted source and only download
apps from officially sanctioned mobile app marketplaces such as
the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
