Only log in to accounts from your own gadgets.

Most cloud storage is snoopable: encrypt the content you keep in them or check out Dropbox (which claims to encrypt all files stored).

This is known as phishing and is one of the easiest ways for passwords to be nicked.

Be very suspicious of emails or messages asking for login or account info, and check that any links are legit (i.e.

Be picky about which companies you share your personal info with – your data’s only as secure as they are.

If there’s something that you’d be gutted to lose, keep copies!

Back-up important data on an external hard drive or USB stick.

Get yourself decent anti-virus and firewall software – and turn it on! Some insurance companies and banks only cover fraud and theft if you can prove you had security in place.

Protecting yourself from getting hacked can take just a couple of minutes if you follow these quick steps:

How to protect your computer from hackers and viruses FileVault (built into Macs) can help, as can check free utilities such as VeraCrypt. There’s much more you can get into, from tweaking email settings to encrypting files on your machines. Most sites use this nowadays anyway, but it's always worth checking! One of the most common forms of encryption you can make use of is to check for the little padlock symbol next to the URL (or that the address starts with http s, not just http) when you're logging in or providing payment details. Encrypt to keep your stuff unreadableĮncryption doesn’t stop files, emails or details you submit through a website being intercepted – it ‘scrambles’ the content so they can’t be read by unauthorised users. That includes logging out of sites when you’ve had your fill of memes, switching off the computer when you leave the house, or disconnecting the WiFi when you’re not using it. If you download something dodgy or have already been compromised, hackers can track, install and change pretty much whatever they like. 'Administrator' shouldn't be your default settingĭon’t log in as admin on your computer for day-to-day use ( except when you have to, like if you're installing stuff). Whether you 'side-load' apps (self-install them) or go for open source software, make sure you get them from trusted sites.Ĭheck for any bundled bits ('spyware' or 'adware') and remove them – toolbars and add-ons that change your default search engines are the biggest culprits. Once hackers get one password, they’ll try it on everything else they can connect you to (see tip 19). Using the same password on a whole raft of logins is a rookie mistake. Use auto-updates to get the latest patches for apps, software and operating systems. Start with Marc Goodman's ' UPDATE' acronym – then take it to the next level with our 33 tips below.

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