Many things are done online these days. This includes everything from managing your bank account, staying connected on social media, to making purchases, checking your email, and everything in between. While it's convenient for most to be able to have access to everything they need right on their phones and computers, it also puts individuals at risk of having their identity stolen. There are, however, many ways in which you can protect yourself online. 

Update Your Security Software 

Your security software is something you'll want to keep updated at all times. Don't ignore the pop-ups that say there's a new update available to download because you can be putting yourself and your sensitive information at risk. 

Companies should also pay special attention to the software they use to make sure it keeps their data inventory and other important records safe. Available updates usually mean something was found in the software that makes it either unstable or no longer safe, so staying up to date is crucial. 

Features to look for when choosing a security program for your electronic device include real-time scanning, registry startup scans, and offer protection from various threats including spyware, phishing, rootkit, and spyware. 

Dispose of Your Old Electronics the Right Way

As the owner of possibly multiple electronic devices, it's crucial to know that there's a right and a wrong way to dispose of electronic devices. In a perfect world, the electronic devices you paid good money for would last forever, but this is unfortunately not reality. 

You'll want to make sure you backup your important data to the cloud or something like an SD drive. Once you have that data backed up, wipe the device clean and restore it to the factory settings. You don't want any of your personal information to remain on it. Most of the time you'll be able to find an option for wiping your device clean under settings and security.

Monitor Your Credit 

Having your eyes on your credit regularly is one way to be able to spot anything that does not look right. If you see something that doesn't belong on your credit, take action immediately. 

A good credit monitoring program will monitor all three bureaus which are called triple-bureau protection. These programs monitor TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax and offer various features including an easy-to-use dispute function that you can use when there's something on your credit that doesn't belong. 

Don't Fall Victim to Scams

Scammers have gotten pretty smart in recent years, and have found good methods for tricking individuals. A scammer is someone that pretends to be part of a reputable organization to steal someone's identity and their money. Scammers can pretend to be anyone, including representatives from the IRS, local police department, and even the electric company you use.

These calls and emails can be frightening and may make you want to take action immediately, but don't. Don't click on links sent in your email unless you're confident it's coming from a trusted source. If you're not sure if the communication is a scam or not, the best practice is to reach out directly to the organization to find out if they did indeed try to contact you. 

Create Hard Passwords 

Every time someone creates a new account online and uses the same password they always use, they're making it easier for their accounts to get hacked. Passwords are hard to remember, especially when you have to make it hard with letters and symbols. You can use something like a password manager to safely keep track of these passwords so you don't have to remember them all. 

As you can see, there are a lot of things you can do to protect yourself when you're online. It's a good habit to stay up to date on the latest scams so you can always be one step ahead.