- Download the latest software versions. Updates often fix security flaws. If you have out-of-date software, you’re vulnerable.
- Create strong passwords. Mix numbers, letters—upper and lower case—and special characters, and make your password at least eight characters long. Use different passwords for different sites and services, or consider using a secure password manager to help keep track of them.
- Question everything. An email claiming you just won an iPad may grab your eye, but its intent likely is to scam you and your wallet. And don’t count on all online scams containing grammar and spelling mistakes as a tipoff.
- Back it up—now. Some online attacks do irreparable damage. Save yourself a lot of pain with a simple and regular backup procedure.
- Secure your mobile device. You may have secured your PC, only to put vulnerable data on a mobile device lacking any security checks at all. Android mobile phones are targeted with an increasing amount of malicious code. Many iPhone users still don’t use a PIN to lock their screens.