Wipe Hard Drive
Before you dispose of an old computer, remove any sensitive data that could be used by an identity thief. Use a program that wipes the hard drive clean or overwrites the data.
Phishing Warning
If you think you've been duped by an email "phishing" scam seeking your personal financial information, contact your financial institution immediately and change your password immediately.
Do Not Disclose
If you make friends through social networking or online gaming, remember that you may not know who they really are. Don't disclose your identity, address, birth date or other identifying information.
Check Firewall
Most computer operating systems come with a firewall to prevent hackers from accessing your computer when it's connected to the Internet. Make sure that your firewall is set up to protect your computer.
Laptop Backup
Back up your data before traveling with your laptop. If your computer is lost or compromised, you'll have a copy of your important documents.
No Replies to Spam
Never open spam emails or click on links inside -- including "unsubscribe" or "remove from list." Doing so allows spammers to harvest email addresses and send more unwanted email.
Automatic Log In
When using a public computer at a library or Internet café, avoid "automatic log in" to your instant messaging account. This makes it easy for the next person on the computer to log in to your IM account.
Scareware Alerts
Beware of seemingly legitimate pop-up windows that advertise security software. The "alerts" might be "scareware" that can infect your computer.
Kids and the Internet
Your children may be old enough to use the Internet, but those under 10 don't have the judgment skills to surf alone. Keep your Internet-connected computers in a visible place like the family room where you can supervise and monitor their Internet use.
VoIP Security
If you use VoIP (voice over Internet protocol), protect yourself from cybercriminals. Ask your VoIP provider for a junction box, which can help prevent data theft.
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