In an era of smartphones, tablets, and computers, having access to the internet is a vital aspect of our daily routines. Nowadays, with so much taking place online, it is important to develop smart habits when sending personal information over the internet. So, here are some tips to keep you safe:

• Only send personal information through websites you know are fully encrypted. Encryption scrambles information you send so it cannot be accessed. Your entire visit to a website should be encrypted, if you come across a page that is not, log out right away.
• One way to identify if a website is secure is by looking for “https” at the beginning of a web address. Look for this on every page you visit, not just the sign in page. If a page does not include https, the website may not be secure and your information could be at risk.
• Not all mobile apps encrypt information correctly; when sending private information through a mobile app use your phone’s data network or a secure wireless network.
• Create different passwords for different website log-ins, and change passwords frequently.
• Use a virtual private network (VPN) when using hotspots. VPN’s secure and encrypt information from your computer and the internet.
• Adjust your phone settings so that your device does not automatically connect to available Wi-Fi networks.

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“Tips for Using Public Wi-Fi Networks.” Consumer Information, Federal Trade Commission, 1 Sept. 2016.