Keep Your Security Software Up to Date: At a minimum, your PC should have current antispyware, antivirus and firewall protection.

Home user Protection / Business Protection

Watch Out for Email Scams: Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails, even if it appears to be from a legitimate source.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Create passwords that are difficult to guess, and use different passwords for each of your accounts.

To create strong passwords, try thinking of a sentence that includes a number. Then, use the first letter of each word as your password. For example: "My favorite TV show is 24" would give you the password: MfTVsi24.

Shop and Bank on Secure Connections: Hackers can intercept data sent over unsecure wireless connections, so exercise caution when performing sensitive online transactions in public places.

Erase Cookies: Get in the habit of clearing cookies off your hard drive after you browse the web. Some privacy protection software can automatically do this for you.

Many people don't realize the numerous ways they put their identities at risk every day. Whether you're buying a plane ticket online or checking your bank account balance at a cafe, there are risks to be aware of.

Malware is one of the most common tactics criminals use to steal identities. If you're not protected, keyloggers and back-door Trojans can steal any data you type into an online form or store on your PC. 

Even if you have up-to-date security software, there are still risks. For example, let's say you use your laptop on a public WiFi network. Hackers can intercept unsecured wireless signals to access files on your computer or record data you enter online. "Phishing" emails are another popular ploy. Designed to trick you into divulging private information, these emails masquerade as legitimate communications from credit card companies and other financial institutions.