How To Protect Your Computer and Stay Safe Online

Internet safety rules are essential. With malware constantly evolving, protection from internet viruses is crucial. Following best practices could prevent the theft of your personal data, bank account information, social media accounts, and more. 

There are over one billion known computer viruses, and over 500,000 new malware pieces are detected every day. Cybercriminals are sneaky and can find all kinds of ways to infect your device.

Keep reading for our internet safety tips and learn how you can stay protected online and prevent hackers.

1. Understand online dangers

Any time you use the internet, you risk getting a computer virus. Understanding the dangers can help you avoid them in the future. Some of the most common online threats are identity theft, phishing, and ransomware attacks.

Hackers employ various tactics to get into your personal accounts. For example, cybercriminals can use email phishing to lure you into giving them your private information. They can steal your identity and use it to illegally obtain credit cards and fraudulently make purchases in your name. They can also lock down your device and hold it for ransom until you agree to pay them whatever they demand.

When you know what to look for, you can be better prepared to see potential threats before they become problematic. Hackers count on you not suspecting malicious software or phishing attempts. 

2. Use strong passwords

One of the best ways to keep your data safe is to use strong passwords. That means you use a password that others won’t easily guess. Unfortunately, some people still use generic, easy-to-guess passwords like 123456 or even the classic password123.

Many people concerned with internet safety opt to use combination passwords. Unique passwords are the best, and they should be a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, special characters, and numbers. 

An example of a strong password would be se},v6cxSSQ5]@{. You can mix it up and have fun with it as long as it’s hard for others to crack. A good practice is to use a random password generator or a password manager to create, store, and manage passwords for multiple accounts. Remember, you never want to use the same password across personal accounts. 

3. Use two-factor authentication

You can protect your personal data with an extra security layer called two-factor authentication. Using two-factor authentication, you'll need another code or password to access your device or specific sites, like banking websites.

You’ll use two login credentials. After the initial login, you’ll get a message containing a code on a device that belongs to you. That may be a cell phone or email address on your computer that you’ve listed as a known device. You won’t get access to the account until you enter that code.

4. Install antivirus software

You can use antivirus software to scan for malicious files. If malware has infected your device, you can use the antivirus software to remove it. Most antivirus software programs will allow you to set it up for automatic scanning, which runs in the background while you work, or you can set it to run while you are not using your device.

With malware threats getting more advanced, it makes sense to have an antivirus program in your arsenal to fight against them. Having a trusted antivirus gives you peace of mind when accessing the internet.

5. Keep your software updated

Antivirus software needs to be updated to ensure the best online safety. Your antivirus program will likely send notifications when it has a new update. Don’t bypass that notice.

Updates may take some time, but security patches are often included to guard against new malware that could infect your devices or apps. If your security software isn’t updated and doesn’t recognize a threat, it won’t give you protection from internet virus

6. Secure your device when using public Wi-Fi

If you take your device to public areas, be cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks. Public networks are not always secure and attract tons of traffic because they are free to use.

One option is to use a virtual private network (VPN) for a more secure internet connection. A virtual private network encrypts any information sent from your device over a public network, keeping others from hacking into your information.

It’s also crucial that you physically secure your devices when in public. Notice your surroundings and don’t have your screens where others can easily view them. Lock or log off your device when you need to leave it, like when going to the restroom or grabbing another coffee.

7. Learn how to spot online scams

If you get emails asking for your passwords, personally identifiable information, or bank account information, someone will likely attempt to steal your identity or hack your accounts if you share your sensitive info. You may not realize the email comes from a scammer, but many hackers make phishing emails look like legitimate sites. Some phony emails even promise something for free if you click on a link or attachment.

Some people get scammed because an email says it’s from their employer. Too often, the scammer may pretend to be from the IT department needing your credentials. The email looks valid, but your company probably won’t send emails asking for your personal information.

If you receive an email asking for personal information, you should exercise caution and try to reach the sender by phone.

For instance, if the email appears to come from your bank and asks you to enter your account information, that could be a phishing attempt. Report the email immediately to your banking institution. Don’t call the phone number attached to the email because it could contact a cybercriminal.

Instead, if you get an email claiming to be official business, call a legitimate phone number online.

8. Avoid sites that don’t start with https://

You may have encountered a message in the past that lets you know a site may not be secure. That could be because the site is missing the “s” in the web address, which stands for “secure.” Another way to tell if a site is secure is to look for the padlock icon next to the URL in your web browser’s search bar.

Secure sites that start with “https” should be difficult for hackers to penetrate. If a site is missing that “s” or starts with just “http://,” that means it’s not secure and you should avoid it. Those sites are more likely to contain malware. Be sure to follow the same best practices when downloading files from the internet. 

9. Don’t overshare personal info

Sharing too much info online is a big mistake that many people make. You may see quizzes on social media asking you to play this fun game and let your friends know more about you. The problem is that you also let cybercriminals in on lots of information that can get stolen. They can also use these life facts about you to guess your passwords. It may seem harmless to let everyone know your first pet was Fluffy and you were born in Philadelphia, but those "fun facts" are actually security questions. 

While sharing some details online may seem harmless, you should avoid oversharing. Too many people use social media as their diary and could give hackers all the information they need.

10. Backup your personal data

There are plenty of ways to backup your personal data in case your computer crashes or gets infected with malware. You should have a plan that prioritizes frequent backups in case you lose your data due to a computer virus.

When you make copies of your files, you can keep them out of a hacker’s reach if you need to remove a virus from your device. You can use a USB drive or external hard drive or print physical copies if you like.

How to report online crimes

If you’ve been a victim of cybercrime, you can report it to the appropriate authorities. Different agencies handle these crimes depending on the specific nature of the crime, like the FBI and justice department divisions. The table below displays the crimes by type and the correct agency for reporting them.

Type of crime	Where to report it
Hacking	Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Online scams	Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
E-commerce with foreign companies Online shopping	Econsumer.gov
Copyright piracy Trademark counterfeiting	FBI Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crimes Center (C3) Internet Crime Complaint Center
Espionage Theft of trade secrets	Local FBI office or the online FBI tip form

Internet safety FAQs

Bottom line

When you’re on the internet, it’s smart to follow these approaches for the best online protection. Using these safety tips helps give you the most advanced computer security and could keep your most personal data safe. As a reminder, implementing the following steps can enhance your online security:

1. Understand and avoid online dangers.
2. Use strong passwords.
3. Use two-factor authentication.
4. Install antivirus software.
5. Keep your antivirus software updated.
6. Secure your device when using public Wi-Fi (consider using a VPN).
7. Learn how to spot online scams.
8. Avoid sites that don’t start with “https://.”
9. Don’t overshare personal info.
10. Back up your personal data.

You also should report any internet crimes to the correct federal agency using the links above. If you haven’t started using some of the tips we’ve listed, there’s no better time to begin than now. One of the best ways to start protecting yourself online is with good antivirus software.