The internet can be a scary place. With the abundance of over sharing on social media to shopping for everything online, there is very little information that actually stays personal these days. Protecting yourself against identity theft, hackers, and cyber bullies can be a job in and of itself. But by be cautious and careful with these security tips, soon your web surfing days will be as carefree as they were in 1998.

• Education is the most important protection. Prevention is always better than cleaning up a mess. As crazy as it sounds, read all terms & conditions before creating an accounts. Know what you are signing up for.

• Create strong passwords, using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Try not to use personal information, such as pet names or birthdays. Make them as random as possible or inspirational. And never use the same password for all accounts.

• Adjust privacy setting for all social media. Don’t just assume you are protected; it takes an effort to protect your personal information from others. Facebook tends to change their privacy features way too often. Make sure to keep up with the changes, and tweak them to fit your specific needs.

• Be careful when ordering and paying bills online. Make sure there is a secure connection, an http address, and the little green padlock next to the address. And always log off your account as soon as you are finished, whether on a personal computer or not.

• Set up email and text alerts for your online banking and bill pay. This will ensure that is there is suspicious activity or fraudulent charges being made, you can catch the theft and take action as soon as you possibly can.

Being prepared is one of the most important things we can do in life. Knowing that taking safety precautions on the internet will keep your identity and finances safe, why wouldn’t you?
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