Online Safety Made Simple
Staying safe online doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple habits can help you recognize scams, protect your personal information, and feel more confident using the internet.
Recognize Common Online Scams
Online scams can arrive by email, text message, phone call, social media, or a website. Be cautious when someone creates a sense of urgency, asks for personal or financial information, or pressures you to act immediately.
Protect Your Personal Information
Keep personal information such as passwords, account numbers, and Social Security numbers private. Only share sensitive information when you know who you are dealing with and why the information is needed.
Create Strong, Unique Passwords
Use a different password for each important account. Longer passwords or passphrases are usually easier to remember and harder for others to guess.
Use Two-Step Verification
Two-step verification adds an extra layer of protection to your account. After entering your password, you may also be asked for a code sent to your phone or email.
Keep Your Devices Updated
Software updates often include important security fixes. Install updates when they become available to help protect your phone, tablet, and computer from new threats.
Be Careful With Links and Attachments
Be cautious before clicking links or opening attachments, especially when you were not expecting them. If you are unsure, contact the sender another way before clicking or opening anything.
Check Before You Trust
If a message, offer, or request seems unusual, take a moment to verify it. Visit the organization’s official website or contact the person or company using information you already trust.
Use Secure Wi-Fi
When possible, use a trusted, password-protected Wi-Fi network. Avoid entering passwords, banking information, or other sensitive information when using public Wi-Fi.
Know What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If you think you clicked something unsafe or shared information with a scammer, act quickly. Change affected passwords, contact your bank or other involved company if needed, and ask someone you trust for help.
Pause Before You Pay
Before sending money or making a payment, stop and check that the request is legitimate. Be especially cautious if someone asks you to pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other unusual payment methods.
Watch for Pressure and Urgency
Scammers often try to make you feel rushed, frightened, or worried so you will act before thinking. Slow down. A legitimate organization will usually give you time to verify what is happening.
Be Careful What You Share
Think carefully before sharing personal details online, especially on social media. Information such as your birthday, address, travel plans, or family details can sometimes be used by scammers to make their messages seem more believable.
Trust Your Instincts
If something online doesn’t feel right, stop before you respond, click, or pay. Give yourself time to check the situation or ask someone you trust for a second opinion.
Keep Personal Information Private
Keep passwords, account numbers, verification codes, and other sensitive information private. Legitimate organizations will not ask you to share this information unexpectedly by email, text, or phone.
Protect Your Accounts
Review your important accounts regularly. If you notice unfamiliar activity, change your password and contact the company using a trusted website or phone number.
Back Up Important Files
Keep copies of important photos, documents, and other files in a safe place, such as cloud storage or an external drive. A backup can help you recover your files if your device is lost, damaged, or infected with malware.
Lock Your Devices
Use a PIN, password, fingerprint, or face recognition to lock your phone, tablet, and computer. A screen lock helps protect your information if your device is lost or stolen.
Sign Out on Shared Devices
If you use a shared or public computer, sign out of your accounts when you are finished. Closing the browser may not sign you out, so look for the Sign Out or Log Out option before you leave.
Keep Your Software Updated
Install software and security updates when they become available. Updates often fix security problems and help protect your device from new threats.
Use Antivirus Protection
Use trusted antivirus or security software and keep it updated. It can help detect and block viruses, malware, and other threats before they cause problems.
Use a Firewall
A firewall helps protect your computer or network by monitoring internet traffic and blocking connections that may be unsafe. Most computers have a firewall built in, so make sure it stays turned on.
Turn On Automatic Updates
Turn on automatic updates when they are available. This helps your computer, phone, and apps receive important security fixes without requiring you to remember to install them yourself.
Use Secure Wi-Fi
Use trusted, password-protected Wi-Fi whenever possible. Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi, especially for banking, shopping, or other activities that involve personal or financial information.
Avoid Unknown USB Drives
Do not plug an unfamiliar USB drive into your computer. An unknown drive could contain harmful software that can infect your device or put your personal information at risk.
Check App Permissions
Review the permissions your apps request, such as access to your location, camera, microphone, or contacts. If an app does not need certain information to work, you can usually turn that permission off in your device settings.
Download Apps from Trusted Sources
Download apps from trusted sources, such as the official app store for your device. Be cautious about downloading apps from unfamiliar websites or links, since they may contain harmful software.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Create a strong password for each important account, and avoid using the same password everywhere. If one account is compromised, unique passwords help protect your other accounts.
Use a Password Manager
A password manager can securely store your passwords so you do not have to remember them all. It can also help you create strong, unique passwords for different accounts.
Enable Two-Step Verification
Turn on two-step verification when an account offers it. It adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second way to confirm that it is really you when you sign in.
Be Careful with Security Questions
Choose answers to security questions that are difficult for other people to guess or discover online. Avoid using information such as your birthday, hometown, or a pet’s name if others may know it.
Back Up Important Files
Keep copies of important files, photos, and documents in a safe backup location, such as cloud storage or an external drive. A backup can help you recover your information if your device is lost, damaged, or infected with harmful software.
Be Cautious with Public Computers
Avoid signing in to sensitive accounts, such as banking or email, on public or shared computers whenever possible. If you must use one, always sign out completely when you are finished and do not allow the computer to save your password.
Lock Your Device When Not in Use
Lock your computer, phone, or tablet whenever you step away from it. Using a PIN, password, fingerprint, or face recognition can help prevent someone else from accessing your personal information.
Protect Your Personal Information
Be careful about sharing personal information online, including your full name, address, phone number, passwords, or financial information. Before providing personal information, make sure you know who is asking for it and why it is needed.
Recognize Fake Urgency
Be cautious when a message, email, or phone call pressures you to act immediately. Scammers often create a sense of urgency so you will respond before you have time to think. Slow down, verify the request, and never let someone rush you into sending money or sharing personal information.