Internet security: how to protect yourself in two hours

The internet is a powerful tool for business, education and entertainment, but it is also home to plenty of hackers who could steal your data, money and even your identity. To minimise your risk of falling into their traps, follow this simple seven-step guide to online security.

Get the latest anti-virus software

You should start by ensuring your own computer hygiene is good, and this entails regularly updating anti-virus programs and installing software updates. Failure to do either could see cyber criminals potentially exploiting unfixed security holes, accessing your machine and stealing data or money.

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To update your anti-virus, open the software you have on your device and look for the option to 'update' or run 'live update'. This will check for any changes or revisions that have been made. After you have downloaded the most recent version, you should be protected from much of the latest malware that is doing the rounds.

This shouldn't take longer than ten minutes, and if you don't have anti-virus software, you can always download free versions from Avast, AVG, Malwarebytes or Panda Security.

Update your other programs

Scanning for updates for your other software is even simpler. On Windows, you can install updates via Microsoft Update (accessible from the start menu) while you can refresh Mac, iOS, Android and Windows apps by clicking on the 'updates' sections in their respective app stores. Some operation systems give you the option to automatically update applications in 'settings'.

Use strong passwords

It's also worth creating a strong master password for your PC, avoiding storing password information on a single file, and if possible, use a physical lock on your computer (Kensington laptop locks start from £20).

You should regularly change passwords, never using the same one twice. To remember them, consider a password manager like LastPass or Dashlane, which will allow you to use one master key to store all your passwords and even bank account details in a digital vault. There is little to choose between these two services, although the free version of LastPass offers five more free logins (ten in total).

Both offer "military-grade" AES-256 encryption, ensuring no-one can intercept your details. Both also support two-factor authentication (2FA) – essentially an additional security layer that requires extra steps to get you in the door. Dashlane can change all passwords in one click, while LastPass checks if your credentials have been compromised in earlier cyber attacks.

You can open an account with either service by visiting their website,s registering, downloading the software and entering your details.

Use two-factor authentication

Where possible, you should use 2FA, which requires you to log in by entering a code sent to a mobile application (you can download Google Authenticator on iOS or Android – although there are others available). After entering your password, the service will ask you to enter a time-sensitive Pin you have received by text message to confirm your identity.

Browse sensibly

Having done this, there are some general browsing tips you should follow; never log in to financial accounts over insecure public wi-fi, don't click suspicious links, and always look for the browser padlock sign, which indicates that the website is HTTPS encrypted (meaning your web session cannot be hijacked).

If you're particularly concerned about being tracked use a VPN (virtual private network), like the free CyberGhost, or the Tor anonymiser network (also free) to browse as these will hide your IP address – making you less likely to be identified and targeted by advertisers or hackers. VPNs secure your computer's internet connection and guarantee all data sent and received is encrypted.

You should also consider the Do Not Track and Ghostery plug-ins as well as the StartPage or DuckDuckGo search engines, which leak less information than Google and others.

The set-up process for these is largely similar: visit the website, download the software and start browsing. For StartPage and DuckDuckGo, just visit the site and start browsing. The Do Not Track website has instructions on enabling the service for Chrome, Firefox, IE, Safari and Opera browsers, while you can add Ghostery to the browser in one click from its website.

Check your social media privacy settings

Ensure that your privacy settings are watertight on Facebook and Twitter. Both share loads of data with third parties, but you can control who sees posts, your profile, location data and more via 'settings' on both.

Use secure mail, messaging and storage services

To tighten your security further, you may wish to consider using the web-based Hushmail, or ChatCrypt for instant messaging, or the TextSecure/Redphone or Signal apps for calls and messages on Android and iOS.

SpiderOak and Mega are good for more secure cloud storage.