Internet browsing security tips

If you have any suspicion that a file may not be legitimate or may be infected, scan it with anti-virus software before downloading. Using the same password for multiple sites only makes it easier for attackers to compromise your sensitive information. Instead, keep track of your different passwords with a handwritten list that you keep in a safe place or come up with your own algorithm for creating unique passwords that only you would know. It is also recommended that you change your passwords every 90 days.

Disable auto-complete for forms or remember your passwords features. Nearly all browsers and many websites in general offer to remember your passwords for future use and Web sites can use hidden fields to steal the data from forms. Enabling these features make them easier for an attacker to discover if your system gets compromised. Also, criminals can hijack your browsing session and steal your information if you stay logged-in to a site.

If you have these features enabled, disable them and clear your stored passwords. Read privacy policies. Regularly monitor your bank statements.

Keeping an eye on your online statements will allow you to react quickly in the event that your account has been compromised.

Avoid public or free Wi-Fi. Another way to ensure safe browsing is by making sure to promptly update your operating system once an update becomes available. This is because when operating systems find security threats, they quickly race to make an update to combat these threats. It is this time between the updates being made available and the users actually updating their operating system that hackers quickly move to exploit this weakness in the operating system. You need to make a new password every time you sign up for an account in most websites.

When you do, make sure that your passwords are airtight especially for more sensitive accounts like social media or banking. Remember to make your password longer close to the maximum length allowed and be more creative by using capitalized letters, numbers, and symbols if allowed. This makes it harder for hackers to guess your password. This means that any activity in these secure sites are encrypted and that the domain ownership has been validated.

You may want to stay away from file sharing sites and torrenting sites. Once you download and run a file with malware in it, the owner of that file can easily take over your computer and use it for their purposes.

Most secure sites will have two-factor authentication. This is to safeguard you against other people trying to impersonate you. Two-factor authentication also helps if someone tries to hack your account or manually guess your password or if you just forgot your password. You can use the second authorization to reset your password and retake your account. Another sure way to stay safe is by avoiding public Wi-Fi. Firewalls monitor internet traffic in and out of your computer and hide your PC from online scammers looking for easy targets.

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Minimizing your system's resources by using cloud services to provide a fast and robust method of securing your systems. While free antispyware and antivirus downloads are available, they just can't keep up with the continuous onslaught of new spyware strains.

Previously undetected forms of spyware and viruses can often do the most damage, so it's critical to have up-to-the-minute, guaranteed protection. Is your state cyber secure? Or is it one of the most hackable? Find out in our Cyber Hygiene Risk report.