5 steps to stop hackers and 3 tips if you do get hacked

This holiday season, hackers stole over 40 million credit and debit card numbers from Target's retail system. This makes all of us extra cautious about protecting our own computer systems. Here's how to hold off those hackers:
1. "ABC" online. "Always Be Careful" when checking emails and surfing the Web. Hackers use these online connections to get malware onto your system that gives them access to personal information and passwords.

• Watch for bad links: Check a link by resting your cursor on it, without clicking, to see the web address. If you want "Sports.com" but you see "x83pzt.net," don't click on it. 
• Avoid questionable websites: Places that push the norms of taste and morality are notorious sources of malware. 
• Don't fall for phishing scams: Wiring money to someone you don't know is never a good idea. But also watch for scams that pose as your bank, email provider, social media, or even the IRS. Banks don't ask to reset your password by email and the IRS never emails taxpayers. 
• Don't download from an unknown source: Only get files or apps from websites you trust.

2. Use different passwords for different sites and accounts. That way, if one account is hacked, only one is compromised. Write passwords down and keep in a secure place, or use a secure online password manager.
3. Make passwords hard to hack and change them often. "Password" and "123456" are easy to hack. So are your birthdate and your child's name, which can be found online. Experts suggest using a long sentence with numbers and symbols, such as "PumpkinsClimbIntoHurricanes%82&." Or make up an even longer sentence, such as "I came to Dallas in 2011 after living in Atlanta for 4 years", but just use the first letter of each word: "IctDi2011aliAf4y." And change passwords every six months.
4. Watch what gets stored. Never email your Social Security Number, because it stays in your archives. Delete old messages with bank account info or credit card numbers. Never put your master list of passwords on your computer.
5. Use protection tools: 

• Antivirus software: Scans for known computer viruses and some can detect phishing scams and other schemes. 
• Secure connections: If a website uses your personal info, make sure you're on a secure, encrypted connection. Instead of "http," the web page URL should start with "https"–the "s" stands for "secure."
• Two-factor authentication: This makes sure no one can pose as you. Once you set it up, every login needs two steps. First, enter user name and password. Then you'll get a third, one-time password sent to your phone or other device. This option is offered by Amazon, Facebook, Google, Twitter, and others.

What to do if you've been hacked. Take these steps immediately:

• 1) Destroy the computer virus: Run antivirus software to find and remove the virus.
• 2) Update all software: Download the latest versions of all programs, including operating system, Internet browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.), Office, and Adobe programs. 
• 3) Change all passwords: Make sure to do this on a different computer from the one that got infected. If the virus had keylogging software, hackers might find the new passwords.