Staying safe online is crucial in today’s digital age. The reality is that scammers are ruthlessly attempting to steal your money and identity. Read and implement these nine tips to proactively protect yourself and your personal information online.

Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts, and do not share them with anyone. You may want to write them down in a password book to remember them. Call me to request a free password book.
Phishing e-mails: Beware of ‘phishing’ e-mail scams where attackers pretend to be reputable companies to steal your sensitive data or money. Do Not Call or Click on links in phishing e-mails. If a phishing e-mail lands in your Inbox, click the SPAM button (on the same line as the TRASH button).
Fake Tech Support Scams: If your computer shows a double layer pop-up that scares you into calling for Windows tech support, do not call and do not let the scammer into your computer!! Sometimes there is a beeping or siren sound or a woman talking. The scammer wants to put snooping malware on your computer and asks you for payment. By using CTRL – ALT – DEL to access the Task Manager, selecting your Browser line, and clicking END TASK, you close the pop-up without any damage done. If you let a scammer into your computer, call me to remove the malware and back doors installed by the scammer.
Security software: Use anti-malware software and keep it renewed and up to date to protect against malware and viruses. I recommend Emsisoft anti-malware and the Malwarebytes Browser Guard extension for protection.
Wi-Fi: Avoid using open, unsecured public Wi-Fi to access sensitive information such as online banking and shopping. Your home Wi-Fi router most likely is secured with a Wi-Fi password.
Software updates: Keep your devices up to date with the latest security patches and software updates to stay protected against known vulnerabilities. This includes Windows and Browser updates.
Two-factor Authentication (2FA or MFA): Use two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts. Two-factor authentication asks you to enter a code sent to your text or e-mail to verify that it is you signing into a website. Put up with the annoyance of finding the validation code to improve your online safety.
Facebook: Be cautious about what you share on social media and only accept friend requests from people you know. Do not accept friend requests if they are already friends (this is a common scam looking to gain access to your friends list). Tell your friends that their Facebook account may have been hacked, if you receive a bogus friend request from them.
Credit Bureaus: Regularly check your financial statements (banks and credit cards) and monitor your credit score to detect any suspicious activity. If you have been hacked, put a lock on your credit bureau accounts to prevent scammers from using your credit for their purposes. Do not fall for e-mails that pretend to be from credit bureaus; go to the site directly.

I believe in making your computers easier and safer to use at an affordable price. Thank you for trusting me to keep your computers healthy. Contact us at 239-567-0104 to renew your protection software, join our Loving Your Computer training, install your new computer, or schedule computer and printer help.
Wishing you a safe online experience. Be well.

By Linda Lindquist, March 24, 2025
https://www.computerandinternethelp.com/contact-us

TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE ONLINE