This is the first thing you should do, otherwise nothing else you do will be worth it! The word cloud below shows a collection of the 25 WORST passwords (via Mashable) So here is how to make a good password:
◦ Length- longer than 7 characters ◦ Complexity- Include letters, punctuation, numbers and symbols ◦ Variation- change your password often, ideally every 3 months ◦ Variety- do not use the same passwords for all the sites ◦ Use this password checker from Microsoft to check if your password is strong enough.
You should do this before you start searching online as people are getting better at hiding viruses There are a variety free antivirus download software you can get to protect you from online viruses Many software packages also have toolbars you can download so you can see if the site is safe whilst you are online When you have downloaded it, remember to do regular checks and updates to ensure you are still protected
Check the sender before opening e-mails Don’t click on links unless you recognise the link and sender Make sure you are replying to the correct e-mail address Any senders you don’t recognise or e-mails which look like they may be spam- mark as Junk and report them as Phishing Scams Never click on a link from your bank asking you to ‘verify your account’ – your bank would never do this! Ensure your spam email filters are doing their job properly
Many of us buy products online on a regular occasion but it is still important to be careful of the site you are using Make sure they are a reputable site with the correct URL and secure payment facilities Always use a credit card when buying online as the Consumer Credit Act makes credit card companies liable to pay if you're the victim of fraud Credit cards also offer different types of fraud insurance, so shop around before choosing a card
Be cautious- If a site looks unsafe, don’t use it and download Site Advisor which shows how safe a website is Keep your system up-to-date- Your operating system will often update itself but keep on top of it to ensure you are fully secure Enter your own URL’s- where possible or be careful what you click on, it may be a fake version of the website you actually want Always log out- especially with a publically used computer