Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters when creating a password.
Never meet someone you have met online or while gaming in person.
Install and maintain antivirus software on your computer.
Avoid keeping multiple tabs in your web browser open for long periods of time to prevent “tabnabbing.”
Set the privacy settings on your social-networking page to the most-restrictive setting.
If you have children who use a home computer, keep the computer in a main area of the house.
Use an avatar, rather than an actual picture of yourself, on your social-networking page.
Secure the wireless connection in your home or business with a unique password.
Do not use your primary email address for online submissions.
Monitor your children’s online activity, including which websites they visit and with whom they interact in blogs, chat rooms, or social-networking sites.
Disable Bluetooth technology when you are not using it.
Limit the use of cookies in your web browser.
Keep gaming consoles in an area that is easy to supervise.
Regularly scan your computer for spyware.
Set your web browser to block pop-ups.
Install parental controls on your web browser.
Configure your operating system to update automatically.
Use strong passwords that cannot be easily guessed.
Use caution in deciding which third-party applications to enable on your social- networking page.
Set your privacy settings on your social-networking page to require a last name or email address for all friend requests.
Limit the amount of information third-party applications can access on your social-networking page.
Limit the amount of personal information, such as your address, your school, or your schedule or routine, you post online.
Use email filters to reduce the amount of SPAM you receive.
Pay attention to a website’s URL to ensure it is authentic before transmitting personal information.
Use the Bcc: function in your email software when sending an email to a large group to protect your recipients’ email addresses.
Use different passwords on different computer systems.
Establish a secondary email address to use when shopping online, subscribing to online services, or posting to a web forum, blog, or social-networking site.
Disable the automatic downloading of graphics in HTML mail.
Save and scan attachments for malware before opening them, particularly if you cannot readily identify the attachment’s source.
Encrypt data transferred via a wireless network.
Uninstall any unused software programs from your computer.
Devote one credit card with a minimum credit line to online purchases.
Talk to your children about Internet safety and let them know they can come to you about any questions or concerns about behaviors or problems they encounter online.
Know that, once you hit “send” on an email or text message, you cannot control where it may travel.
Do not advertise that you are away from home online.
Do not use a word that can be found in a dictionary of any language as your password.
Do not follow links in SPAM messages.
Exercise caution in deciding which websites to visit.
Know that, once you publish something online, it is there forever.
Place a privacy screen on your mobile device to prevent onlookers from reading information over your shoulder.
Install a firewall on your computer and wireless devices.
When using Bluetooth technology, ensure that it is in “hidden” mode.
Do not plug an unknown USB drive into your computer.
Do not leave your laptop or mobile device unattended in public or easily accessible areas.
Document cyberbullying by keeping electronic or hard copies of any text messages, websites, or emails conveying threatening or harassing language.
Consider storing important data on recordable media other than your laptop or mobile device.
Be wary of emails requesting personal information.
Prevent identity theft by doing business only with reputable companies, protecting your personal information, and staying aware of your account activity.
Never give out personal information while gaming.
Become a “friend” of your child’s social-networking page.