Don't forget to use security software for tablets and mobile phones—and keep it updated. Protect electronic devices of family members, especially teens and young children.

Make sure anti-virus software for computers has a feature to stop malware, and there is a firewall enabled that can prevent intrusions.

Phishing scams—like imposter emails, calls and texts—are the No. 1 way thieves steal personal data. Don't open links or attachments on suspicious emails. This year, fraud scams related to COVID-19, Economic Impact Payments and other tax law changes are common.

Use strong and unique passwords for online accounts. Use a phrase or series of words that can be easily remembered or, better yet, use a password manager.

Many email providers and social media sites offer this feature. It helps prevent thieves from easily hacking accounts by requiring a second point of contact to access accounts.

The "s" in https is for secure communications over the computer network. Also, look for the "padlock" icon in the browser window.

Don't shop on unsecured public Wi-Fi in places like a mall. Remember, thieves can eavesdrop.

At home, secure home Wi-Fis with a password. With more homes connected to the web, secured systems become more important, from wireless printers, wireless door locks to wireless thermometers. These can be access points for identity thieves.

A cloud service or an external hard drive can be used to copy information from computers or phones—providing an important place to recover financial or tax data.

Working from home? Consider creating a virtual private network (VPN) to securely connect to your workplace. VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network" and describes the opportunity to establish a protected network connection when using public networks. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and disguise your online identity.