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. Create a mobile wallet on your smartphone with a specialized payment app. It can be an easier and more secure purchase method than sharing your card info.

  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 eight 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.