Scammers, hackers and identity thieves are looking to steal your personal information and possibly your money. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are a few tips to remember:

Update Your Software. Keep your software – including your operating system, your web browsers, and your apps – up-to-date to protect against the latest threats. Many software updates include improved security. If you have outdated software that you no longer use, delete it from your devices.

Protect Your Personal Information. Every time you are asked for your personal information – whether in a web form, an email, a text, or a phone message – think about why someone needs it and whether the request is legitimate. If someone is requesting your information without any initiation from you, always contact the company directly by going to their website or calling them yourself.

Protect Your Passwords. Here are a few ideas for creating strong passwords and keeping them safe:

Use at least 10 characters; 12 is ideal for most home users.

Try to be unpredictable – don't use names, dates, or common words. Mix numbers, symbols, and capital letters into the middle of your password, not at the beginning or end.

Don't use the same password for many accounts. If it's stolen from you – or from one of the companies where you do business – thieves have access to all of your accounts with the same password.

Don't share passwords on the phone, in texts or by email.

If you write down a password, keep it secure, out of plain sight.

Consider Turning On Two-Factor Authentication. Two-factor authentication requires both your password and an additional piece of information to log into your account. The second piece could be a code sent to your phone, or a random number generated by an app or a token. This protects your account even if your password is compromised. If you have the option to activate two-factor authentication, use it.

Give Personal Information Over Encrypted Websites Only. If you're shopping or banking online, stick to sites that use encryption to protect your information as it travels from your computer to their server. To determine if a website is encrypted, look for https at the beginning of the web address. That means the site is encrypted and your data is secure.

Back Up Your Files. No system is completely secure. Copy your files to an external hard drive or cloud storage. If your computer is attacked by malware, you'll still have access to your files.

For more helpful information about this topic, take advantage of the free resources provided by the Federal Trade Commission at consumer.ftc.gov.