How to protect yourself

In order to protect yourself, you need to download a proper antivirus program. Using the right antivirus software is probably the easiest way to stay safe online. Some of the best antiviruses on the market have real-time malware protection to block viruses before they can even damage your computer and anti-phishing tools to block all scam websites, but they also add extra features such as firewalls, Wi-Fi scanners, VPNs, password managers, various software updaters, data breach monitors, and many other things.

Norton is probably the best of all antiviruses because it’s super easy to use and offers many automatic security tools to keep all your devices as safe as possible.

Also, make sure you go to the source. Hackers might use deceptive pop-up windows, email links, and even text messages, websites, and phone calls. The more they rush you into pushing the wrong buttons, the higher your chances of making a bad decision.

This doesn’t mean that a legitimate government agency isn’t, in fact, texting you, that your utility company didn’t send you an email, or that an old friend doesn’t want you to download an email attachment.

However, you should try to confirm that you’re getting the right information by contacting that agency, company, or friend through a trusted contact method. And make sure you’re always skeptical, because if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!

And choose only the websites you trust and that look secure. A website is secure if its address starts with “https://.” The most efficient way to check if the website is secure is to have a look at the padlock icon right next to the address bar, which shows that the website you’re about to use has a secure encrypted TLS connection.