5 tips to help protect yourself online

A young woman learns how to protect herself online

This advice can help you stay safe in cyberspace whether you're visiting social media or the local pizza place.

Though there are different types of scams, the objective is the same: to steal your money or information. Consider these tips to help protect yourself online.

  1. Avoid sharing private details on social media including your birthdate, address, or mother’s maiden name. Check your privacy settings regularly as well.

  2. Consider using a mobile wallet on your smartphone. It can be an easy and secure purchase method.

  3. Make sure you recognize the sender’s email address and not just the name. Don’t click a link if you’re not sure who sent it.

  4. Help play it safe away from home by using a virtual private network (VPN) instead of a public Wi-Fi network so cybercriminals won’t see anything but encrypted data.

  5. Change your passwords regularly, using at least 12-25 characters including numbers and symbols. Avoid using the same password for all your accounts.

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Learn about ways to help safeguard yourself, your family, and your business online.