Windows users, while Verizon charges $5.99 a month to subscribe to its security protection program. (For Mac users, only Comcast offers a free Internet security program.) Optionally, you can purchase and install one of the popular Internet security programs of your choosing, or download one of the free offerings (listed in the sidebar "Internet security programs for your computer").

CNet.com, PC Magazine and PCWorld all chose Norton Internet Security as their No. 1 Internet security suite choice for Windows users.

Both Microsoft and Apple regularly release security vulnerability updates that can help protect your computer against dangerous Internet attacks. Be sure to turn on either of those operating systems’ software update features, and choose the setting to regularly check for and download and install new system software updates automatically.

Protecting your smartphone

Nielsen predicts that by the end of 2011, half of all mobile phones in the United States will be smartphones. Since a smartphone is really just a miniature computer, it may be more desirable to hackers than your wallet.

Although Apple has identified and released updates to fix occasional security holes in its iPhone smartphone line, the company’s stringent application review process helps to minimize potentially harmful threats hidden inside applications you download from the App Store.

With identity theft rampant, it is more important than ever to know how to protect your online information. From your PC at home to the smartphone you carry with you 24/7, implementing security protection tools and familiarizing yourself with (and practicing) a number of common safer online practices can help ward off nasty computer viruses or intrusive hacker attacks intent on hijacking your personal identity and digital information such as banking logons, photos, private email and messaging conversations, and even your Facebook or Twitter social networking profiles.

Protecting your personal computer

Installing an Internet security program—and making sure it’s configured to update itself automatically—is your first line of defense to protect your Mac or Windows PC from picking up nasty computer viruses and other malware. Although Internet security programs that protect against certain kinds of threats can be purchased separately—anti-virus, firewall and anti-spyware protection programs are the three essentials—choosing a security suite that includes those three programs provides the most complete protection possible.

Three of the top four Internet broadband service providers (Comcast, Time Warner, Cox) provide free mainstream Internet security programs for

Internet security programs for your computer

from unwelcome freeloaders or prowling cyber snoops.

Don’t trust public Wi-Fi: Password protected or not, when tapping into free Wi-Fi hotspots in cafes, airports or other locations with your computer or smartphone, resist the temptation to check your bank balance, make online shopping purchases or conduct other very personal online business.

And while Google vets the open source apps that app creators release on the Android Marketplace, Google’s approval process is not as strict as Apple’s, which means malware Android apps that slip past inspectors have wound up infecting Android smartphones. In response to those threats, there are anti-malware apps for Android smartphones from PC security program makers AVG, F-Secure, McAfee, Symantec and others.

Even so, some experts suggest those pocket-sized protection apps aren’t necessary if you steer clear of downloading obscure and poorly rated or unrated apps, and download only well-known and highly rated apps.

Safer computer and smartphone practices

Though installing and maintaining an Internet security program on your Mac or PC (and your smartphone) can drastically reduce your vulnerability to online attacks, the most powerful weapon for thwarting security attacks you can deploy is … you.

Following these general Internet safety tips can help protect you against potentially dangerous attacks and scams:

Secure your wireless router: If you’re piping your broadband Internet connection through a wireless router so others in your household can share the same connection, activate your Wi-Fi router’s WPA2 password feature to help secure your network

If digital disaster strikes

If your personal identity information has been stolen or you even think you may have been compromised, take immediate action to minimize the potential fallout.

Computer malware (virus, adware, malware, etc.) attack: If you think your computer has been infected or attacked, run your Internet security program’s scanning feature, and allow the program to remove any threats it uncovers.

Credit card theft: Contact your credit card company, bank and/or any financial institutions associated with the threat to cancel credit and debit cards, checking accounts and any other related accounts that may have been compromised.

Identity theft: If you think your identity has been stolen, follow these steps:
• Contact your credit card company, bank and/or any financial institutions associated with the threat to cancel credit and debit cards, checking accounts and any other related accounts that may have been compromised.
• Contact the local police and file a report where the identity theft occurred.
• Prevent potential identity thieves from opening new credit card or other accounts with your information by contacting one of the credit reporting services below:
Equifax (www.equifax.com): (800) 525-6285
Experian (www.experian.com): (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742)
TransUnion (www.transunion.com): (800) 680-7289
• File a complaint with the FTC:
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft.

Implementing these security protection tips and using online safety tools can help keep your private information safe.

Joe Hutsko’s stories about high-tech gadgets, gear and games have appeared in The New York Times, Fortune, Newsweek, Wired and others. He’s also the author of Green Gadgets for Dummies, Macs All-in-One for Dummies, iPhone All-in-One for Dummies and The Deal: A Novel of Silicon Valley. His website is JOEyGADGET.com.