Protect Your Personal Information: 15 Simple Tips
In today’s world, it can feel hard to keep your personal information and finances safe. To help, here’s a quick guide with easy tips to protect your data and control who can see it:
- Create strong passwords. Use something creative and long, like “MyWiFiIsForMeOnly!”
- Watchout for fake emails and texts. If you get an urgent message asking you to click alink or share info, pause and think. Hover over links to see where they’ll take you before clicking.
- Shop on secure websites. Look for a padlock icon in the browser bar and make sure the web address starts with "https." Avoid entering personal info on sites without these signs
- Don’t overshare on social media. Avoid posting details like your address, phone number, or other personal information that hackers could use.
- Check your privacy settings. Adjust your account settings to share less with strangers or companies. Review your settings at least once a year.
- Close old accounts. If you stop using a social media platform or service, delete your account so your data doesn’t stay there.
- Keep your location private. Apps like Facebook can track your location. Turn off location-sharing in your phone settings.
- Use anti-theft features on your device. Set a password and enable features that let you lock or erase your data if your phone or tablet gets stolen.
- Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use. Leaving these on all the time can make it easier for hackers to access your device.
- Update your devices. Turn on automatic updates to keep your software secure from new threats
- Be careful with public Wi-Fi. Public networks can leave you vulnerable to hackers. Use your phone's mobile hotspot or a virtual private network (VPN) instead
- Install antivirus software. A good antivirus program can protect your computer from malware. Keep it updated regularly
- Back up your data. Save your important files to a secure location like an external hard drive or a cloud service.
- Check if your accounts were hacked. Visit HaveIBeenPwned.com to see if your email or passwords were exposed in a data breach.
- Use two-step authentication. Add an extra layer of security to your accounts with two-factor authentication, like a text message code or an app notification.
Bonus Tip: Share these tips with your family and friends so they can protect their data too!
Protect Your Personal Information: 15 Simple Tips
In today’s world, it can feel hard to keep your personal information and finances safe. To help, here’s a quick guide with easy tips to protect your data and control who can see it:
- Create strong passwords. Use something creative and long, like “MyWiFiIsForMeOnly!”
- Watchout for fake emails and texts. If you get an urgent message asking you to click alink or share info, pause and think. Hover over links to see where they’ll take you before clicking.
- Shop on secure websites. Look for a padlock icon in the browser bar and make sure the web address starts with "https." Avoid entering personal info on sites without these signs
- Don’t overshare on social media. Avoid posting details like your address, phone number, or other personal information that hackers could use.
- Check your privacy settings. Adjust your account settings to share less with strangers or companies. Review your settings at least once a year.
- Close old accounts. If you stop using a social media platform or service, delete your account so your data doesn’t stay there.
- Keep your location private. Apps like Facebook can track your location. Turn off location-sharing in your phone settings.
- Use anti-theft features on your device. Set a password and enable features that let you lock or erase your data if your phone or tablet gets stolen.
- Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use. Leaving these on all the time can make it easier for hackers to access your device.
- Update your devices. Turn on automatic updates to keep your software secure from new threats
- Be careful with public Wi-Fi. Public networks can leave you vulnerable to hackers. Use your phone's mobile hotspot or a virtual private network (VPN) instead
- Install antivirus software. A good antivirus program can protect your computer from malware. Keep it updated regularly
- Back up your data. Save your important files to a secure location like an external hard drive or a cloud service.
- Check if your accounts were hacked. Visit HaveIBeenPwned.com to see if your email or passwords were exposed in a data breach.
- Use two-step authentication. Add an extra layer of security to your accounts with two-factor authentication, like a text message code or an app notification.
Bonus Tip: Share these tips with your family and friends so they can protect their data too!