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Hook up to a network that you know.
Free Wi-Fi is tempting, but be sure that you consider who is providing the connection. Public connections at the local coffee shop are usually unsecured and leave your machine open to outsiders. While these networks provide a convenience, there are risks to be aware of.
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Shop with caution.
Shopping from familiar websites is a good place to start. Stick with the reputable sites that are tried and true like Amazon or eBay. Also, before entering confidential information when checking out and finalizing the purchase, look for the padlock symbol or the abbreviation https in the address bar at the top of your browser. This will ensure that you are on a secure, encrypted part of this webpage.
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Use secure passwords.
Passwords for logging into any website should contain a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters as well as be different for each website that you log into. It can definitely be a pain to remember all of these passwords, but ask yourself which is more of a pain remembering these, or recovering stolen personal information.
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Do not click on anything unfamiliar.
If an offer is too good to be true, it probably is. If you get an email from an unknown source, do not click any of the links within it and immediately report it to your IT department. If a window pops up while browsing a website, immediately close it. Familiarity is always your friend. Using your judgment and trusting your gut is the ultimate defense when online. Always play it safe!