As digital citizens, we are getting better about consistently protecting ourselves, our devices, and our family and friends. However, the Internet is always “on,” so we must remain vigilant and continue to connect with care in order to protect our mobile devices — including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and wearable technology — as well as our personal information.

• Protect your device. Add a passcode to your cell phone, tablet, or laptop right now!
• Use strong passwords or passphrases. Especially for online banking and other important accounts.
• Enable multifactor authentication. Wherever possible, enable multifactor authentication, which helps secure your accounts by requiring hardware or biometrics in addition to your password.
• Check your social media settings. Review your social media security and privacy settings frequently. Enable two-step verification whenever possible.
• Educate yourself. Stay informed about the latest technology trends and security issues such as malware and phishing. Forward suspected phishing messages to report-phish@osu.edu.
• Share with care. Think before posting about yourself and others online. Consider what a post reveals, who might see it, and how it could be perceived now and in the future. Respect the privacy of others.
• Personal information is like money. Value it. Protect it. Own it. Information about you, such as purchase history or location, has value — just like money. Be thoughtful about who receives that information and how it’s collected by apps or websites. Also be sure to review the privacy policies of apps and websites to ensure you know what is being done with your data.