Ten Simple Ways to Stay Safe on Your Computer

Using a computer doesn't have to feel like walking through a minefield. You don't need a degree in technology to keep your information safe. By building a few simple habits into your daily routine, you can protect yourself and your computer from the vast majority of online trouble.

1. When in doubt, ask for help

You are not expected to know everything about computers. If something looks weird, if a program is behaving strangely, or if you think you might have clicked something you shouldn't have, don't try to hide it or fix it alone. Reach out to a tech-savvy friend, family member, or a professional support service right away. They would much rather help you check a suspicious link than clean up a major mess later.

2. Let a password manager do the heavy lifting

Trying to remember dozens of different, complex passwords is nearly impossible. Do not use the same password for everything. If a hacker guesses your password for a casual shopping site, you don't want them able to use that exact same password to look at your bank account. Instead of writing them on sticky notes, use a password manager tool. It safely stores all your passwords in a digital vault, and you only have to remember one master password to unlock it. Bitwarden is a popular password manager that offers a free version for personal use.

For your most important accounts, like your bank or primary email, turn on something called Multi-Factor Authentication, which is just a fancy phrase for a "second check." This setup sends a quick, temporary code to your cell phone via text message right after you enter your password. Even if a scammer halfway across the world somehow guesses your password, they still cannot get into your account because they don't have your physical phone to receive that second code.

3. Take a second look before you click

Scammers are great at making emails look exactly like they come from businesses you actually use, like Amazon, Netflix, or your bank. They might tell you your account is suspended or that you need to click a button to update your payment info. Scammers love to create a false sense of urgency to make you click a link before you think. Instead of clicking any "Fix My Account" buttons inside the email, close your email app completely. Open your web browser, type the company's real web address yourself, and log in securely. If there is a real issue, you will see a notification waiting for you inside your actual account.

4. Watch out for strange attachments

If someone sends you an email with an attachment you weren't expecting, do not open it. This applies even if the email appears to come from a friend or coworker, because their account could have been compromised. Call or text them to ask if they actually sent you a file before you open it. If you email them back asking if it is real and the hacker is still in their email account the hacker will reply telling you it is fine to open the attachment.

5. Stick to official stores for apps and software

If you need to download a program or a tool, only get it from the official source, like the Microsoft Store, the Apple App Store, or the company's direct website. Avoid downloading free programs from random websites, because those freebies often come bundled with hidden nastiness that slows down your computer or worse.

6. Don't believe everything a popup tells you

If a flashing window pops up while you are browsing the internet and claims your computer is infected with viruses, do not click it and do not call the phone number on the screen. These are fake warnings designed to scare you into giving scammers your credit card number. Just close your browser window to make it go away.

7. Let your computer update itself, but watch for fakes

Those little messages saying an update is available are incredibly important because they fix security holes. However, only trust updates that come from your computer's main settings menu. If you are browsing the internet and a website shows a flashy popup saying your internet browser or software is out of date, close that website immediately. That is a trick to get you to download malware.

8. Don't blindly trust the top search results

When you use a search engine like Google to find a company's customer service number or a piece of software to download, be careful what you click. The very first few results at the top of the page are often paid advertisements. Scammers frequently buy these ad spots to look like the real company, hoping you will click their link or call their fake support number. Look for the official website address down the page.

9. Beware of the fake invoice text or email

A very common trick is receiving a text message or email thanking you for a major purchase you never made, like an expensive computer protection plan renewal or a high-end electronics order. The message will include a phone number to call if you want to cancel the order. When you call, they will ask you to log into your computer or bank account to process a refund, but they are actually trying to rob you.

10. Back up your important files

Computers are machines, and machines eventually break down or wear out. If your computer quit working tomorrow, would you lose your irreplaceable photos or important documents? Use an external hard drive or a secure cloud service to keep a second copy of anything you cannot afford to lose.