Staying Secure Online

None of the tips in the recent CNN article, "Seven online-security blunders to avoid," are new or particularly innovative, but they are still good advice.

Identity theft will become more of a problem with (a) the holidays coming--people spend more, are more free with their credit card info, and don't look as closely at their statements, and (b) the economic downturn--as times get tough, more people will get desperate enough to try to use someone else's name or credit.

Tips about downloading, email phishing scams, and virus protection are good advice for the whole family, and something you might want to go over with kids and teens who have computer access.