Some of the most popular gifts this holiday season are tech toys. Make sure you take steps to protect your personal information and that great new toy in the best way possible.

At any given time you may have your financial information, family photos and contact information on one or several devices you carry daily. It’s important to protect yourself against digital pickpockets, hackers and identity thieves by following some basic safely rules:

• Protect your device first and its contents second.
• Never leave your computer, phone or tablet anywhere out of your reach or sight. Keep them hidden in your car, and don’t attach your phone to an outside visible pocket on your purse or backpack.
• Enable locks on all electronic devices requiring a password to unlock.
• Avoid open Wi-Fi networks when supplying personal information over the Internet; never provide your personal information on unsecured (without HTTPS:// in the address) or questionable websites.  Remember, no reputable company will EVER ask you to email or verify your password via email.
• While it might be easier for you to save your passwords in applications on your devices, it’s also easier for thieves to get your information.
• Refrain from loaning devices to strangers.
• Etch your name and email address on the bottom of your devices, so if your device is found they have a way to contact you.
• Back up those precious family photos to an external hard drive or a secure and reputable cloud storage service.
• Register your devices with online tracking services if your device is lost or stolen.  Many can tell you exactly where your phone is located if it is turned on -even if it’s at the bottom of your purse or under the couch cushion.  Again, do your research to make sure you are dealing with a reputable company.
• Contact the police to report any thefts.  If you have recorded the IMEI, SIM or MEID numbers for your cell phone it will help identify your property. (Here’s how)

As technology changes and we become more dependent on it, we need to remember to do whatever we can to protect ourselves, understanding that nothing is foolproof but most thieves will go for the easy target.